The date for the last blog should have been today -12 AUgust! I started writing it on the 14th July, and didn't change the date stamp! Oops!
See - I have good intentions to keep you all up to date!! Haha!!
xxx
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Come on over!
Sof:
So, it is appearing as though we are managing one blog every month! They do say the more interesting your life is the less time you have to shout about it! So please take it as a good thing!!
I want to tell you guys some other stuff what we did (LOVE the grammar!) when Paul's Mum and partner came over. It might make u wanna come on over and visit us even more!
Firstly though, some things I like:
The fact that petrol (or should I say GAS) stations nearly all have a garage attached to them. I love this. I can't quantify this. I just do.
The long aisles of ice cream.......
The fact I can get away with free coffee cos I am British (or big boobed - whichever floats your boat!) and the fact that EVERY supermarket has a coffee shop inside and you can drink your purchase whilst shopping, with, indeed, a place to puit said coffee in your cart!
My covertible car, Christine. If I could take you home (and not look like I have had a mid life crisis) I would my darling....sigh......
Patrick Stewart and Harrison Ford (my 2 favourite men) are both born on the SAME DAY. Wierd......
Things I don't so much like:
Men (and this is 95% of the male DC/VA population) who wear their mobile phones on their pants in a carry case - you look like a DICK!! Take it off and put it in your fecking pocket! Honestly!
My nail varnish chipping
The dead shrews outside my balcony door.....thanks Cat!
The cost of replacing tires due to glass, potholes, lumps in the road.......
So that is it so far.
Anyway, onto our fun times.
We went to a Nascar type event at the local speed track in Manassass. Banger racing with style. Infact, there were many crashes - more than usual. I think the drivers wanted to def cause a fuss. Wierd looking mini cars (which we later found out were driven by 9-11 year olds!), small beetle type affairs, and dead fast banger cars. They got so beat up, one was driving around with all his engine exposed. SO funny! And all for $15. Bargain. ANd what was better was all the free stuff Paul got for Bob cause he loves Nascar and was British and visiting! Excellent!
We went to the National Printing and Engraving museum - basically the national mint. There is one here and one in Texas. I was watching more money being printed than I could ever earn in mine and Pauls lifetime!
Now that I have started writing, I can't think of what we did!! Bloody typical!
We went over the the Maryland side of Great Falls - beautiful waterfall. Much nicer over that side. Even the loos. Infact the VA side was so horrid, I wrote a complaint email!! I just never change!!
I meant to take them to Arlington National Cemetery, but took a wrong turn and ended up in Alexandria! I do love it here, and managed to see the harbourside for the first time. It was SO HUMID though - seriously thought I was going to melt!
Pauls mum drank enough brandy, the cows actually started talking about how drunk Mum was on their way home. That was Paul's offering!! haha!! BUT - she did stop smoking the whole time she was here! We were so PROUD of her! Well done mum - hope you keep it up!
We found a fab little shop in Manassas - amazing stuff, like a little bazaar! And then we found a great little antique shop, and a SECOND HAND BOOK STORE!!! With it's own resident cat! I WAS IN HEAVEN!!!!
We obviously did more, but because I leave it so long I really can't remember what else we did now!
SO to the present day. I have managed to get my hours up to full time - I also have a temp job in the COnsular office helping those poor distressed British Nationals!! Work with an amzing team here too.....gotta be careful mind - my co-worker is my friend on Facebook now!! SO that is keeping me busy all week! I still haven't heard about the OT decsion yet! BUt I did go on a night out with Carrie and there was an OT there (she is a social worker in a residential home, so not much of a coincidence) and he said I should be fine with my qualifications. Their 'Masters' degree is just a small research project - exactly waht I did at the end of my degree. But I am still not holding much hope up. Lets see what happens.....
SO my training for the half marathon is going well, and not so well. The weather is seriously a problem (apparently they haven't had this kind of continuous heat and humidity for a LONG LONG TIME - first snow, now this - I reckon we have jinxed something). Because I start at 7am 3 days a week, I am unable to go out early morning then. By the time I get home it is TOO HOT! Nightime is STILL HOT. SO I do go out on the Thur or Fri of the other 2 days in the mroning. I try the treadmill at work, but hate it. 1 mile feels like 10. ANd weekends I am getting up at 6am to do a long run - I managed nearly 11 miles the other week!! YAY!!
I have also been inspired by my amazing friend, Sue Friend. She has been seeing a personal trainer, and she has come SO FAR! So I decided to look for one too. I found one (she is $40 an hour, outside - great!) and saw her recently. She put me through my paces - WOW. I have discovered why I get groin injuries (no, sex has nothing to do with it!!) and learnt some new things to help me run faster! I am seeing her weekly until the half and then every so often. BUt I can only see her at weekends, so I have to get up early BOTH DAYS OF THE WEEKEND!!! E.u.r.g.h. Nasty. AT least I can give it a break when I get back from the UK!!
That is right - I am back again, for another wedding. This time I will be spending most of it down in Cornwall though, so I really don't have too much time on my hands. I am having a general get together with local Bristol friends on Friday 3rd Sept, 7.30 onwards - not sure when. I will contact you all soon!! BUt I will be on my British mobile though. I can't drink, but it would be great to see everyone again, especially as we probably won't be coming back again for a long time - the wedding we were planning on coming to has been put back a year, so we won't be coming over in May 2011. Maybe summer.......
So Paul has come back from his 3 week stint away - one week in California, then straight to the UK for 2 weeks. He has seen the odd people about. I kept myself busy with running, P90xing and watching Bones. My friend came over to cook me dinner - YUM! Celebrated another friends birthday! ALl in all, it wasn't too bad!! My turn next, as he loves to remind me!
He has returned with Jacob - blimey - he has grown at least 3 inches!! Wow! BUt they have time off together to spend at the pool.
We managed to get a coupon today for them both to go fishing for a couple of hours and recieve proper instruction. Jacob wasn't too pleased that he had to get up at 6.30am!!
So we get in the car, popped the top back on the car, and started driving. The radio was blathering on about some storms north of us....hmmmm....we think, nothing about here! How things change! 10 minutes in and the black clouds roll over. Lightening starts, and the RAIN!! The RAIN!! ANd the wind. We have had some real crazy storms here recently - tress being blown over by 80mph winds ontop of house and cars. It has been a scary few weeks with these summer storms. Likewise this morning. Crawling along becuase visibility is so reduced and the roads are proper flooded (5" rain water). Roads closed becasue the are impassable. Sirens everywhere. Horrid. But we all got in safe, and the storm blew over for them to have a fab time fishing! I was 10 minutes late for work, so not bad!
So this weekend is going to be a BBQ with Pauls work mates. Looking forward to that!
Lets hope the weather stays well for it!
Until next time xxxxxxx
So, it is appearing as though we are managing one blog every month! They do say the more interesting your life is the less time you have to shout about it! So please take it as a good thing!!
I want to tell you guys some other stuff what we did (LOVE the grammar!) when Paul's Mum and partner came over. It might make u wanna come on over and visit us even more!
Firstly though, some things I like:
The fact that petrol (or should I say GAS) stations nearly all have a garage attached to them. I love this. I can't quantify this. I just do.
The long aisles of ice cream.......
The fact I can get away with free coffee cos I am British (or big boobed - whichever floats your boat!) and the fact that EVERY supermarket has a coffee shop inside and you can drink your purchase whilst shopping, with, indeed, a place to puit said coffee in your cart!
My covertible car, Christine. If I could take you home (and not look like I have had a mid life crisis) I would my darling....sigh......
Patrick Stewart and Harrison Ford (my 2 favourite men) are both born on the SAME DAY. Wierd......
Things I don't so much like:
Men (and this is 95% of the male DC/VA population) who wear their mobile phones on their pants in a carry case - you look like a DICK!! Take it off and put it in your fecking pocket! Honestly!
My nail varnish chipping
The dead shrews outside my balcony door.....thanks Cat!
The cost of replacing tires due to glass, potholes, lumps in the road.......
So that is it so far.
Anyway, onto our fun times.
We went to a Nascar type event at the local speed track in Manassass. Banger racing with style. Infact, there were many crashes - more than usual. I think the drivers wanted to def cause a fuss. Wierd looking mini cars (which we later found out were driven by 9-11 year olds!), small beetle type affairs, and dead fast banger cars. They got so beat up, one was driving around with all his engine exposed. SO funny! And all for $15. Bargain. ANd what was better was all the free stuff Paul got for Bob cause he loves Nascar and was British and visiting! Excellent!
We went to the National Printing and Engraving museum - basically the national mint. There is one here and one in Texas. I was watching more money being printed than I could ever earn in mine and Pauls lifetime!
Now that I have started writing, I can't think of what we did!! Bloody typical!
We went over the the Maryland side of Great Falls - beautiful waterfall. Much nicer over that side. Even the loos. Infact the VA side was so horrid, I wrote a complaint email!! I just never change!!
I meant to take them to Arlington National Cemetery, but took a wrong turn and ended up in Alexandria! I do love it here, and managed to see the harbourside for the first time. It was SO HUMID though - seriously thought I was going to melt!
Pauls mum drank enough brandy, the cows actually started talking about how drunk Mum was on their way home. That was Paul's offering!! haha!! BUT - she did stop smoking the whole time she was here! We were so PROUD of her! Well done mum - hope you keep it up!
We found a fab little shop in Manassas - amazing stuff, like a little bazaar! And then we found a great little antique shop, and a SECOND HAND BOOK STORE!!! With it's own resident cat! I WAS IN HEAVEN!!!!
We obviously did more, but because I leave it so long I really can't remember what else we did now!
SO to the present day. I have managed to get my hours up to full time - I also have a temp job in the COnsular office helping those poor distressed British Nationals!! Work with an amzing team here too.....gotta be careful mind - my co-worker is my friend on Facebook now!! SO that is keeping me busy all week! I still haven't heard about the OT decsion yet! BUt I did go on a night out with Carrie and there was an OT there (she is a social worker in a residential home, so not much of a coincidence) and he said I should be fine with my qualifications. Their 'Masters' degree is just a small research project - exactly waht I did at the end of my degree. But I am still not holding much hope up. Lets see what happens.....
SO my training for the half marathon is going well, and not so well. The weather is seriously a problem (apparently they haven't had this kind of continuous heat and humidity for a LONG LONG TIME - first snow, now this - I reckon we have jinxed something). Because I start at 7am 3 days a week, I am unable to go out early morning then. By the time I get home it is TOO HOT! Nightime is STILL HOT. SO I do go out on the Thur or Fri of the other 2 days in the mroning. I try the treadmill at work, but hate it. 1 mile feels like 10. ANd weekends I am getting up at 6am to do a long run - I managed nearly 11 miles the other week!! YAY!!
I have also been inspired by my amazing friend, Sue Friend. She has been seeing a personal trainer, and she has come SO FAR! So I decided to look for one too. I found one (she is $40 an hour, outside - great!) and saw her recently. She put me through my paces - WOW. I have discovered why I get groin injuries (no, sex has nothing to do with it!!) and learnt some new things to help me run faster! I am seeing her weekly until the half and then every so often. BUt I can only see her at weekends, so I have to get up early BOTH DAYS OF THE WEEKEND!!! E.u.r.g.h. Nasty. AT least I can give it a break when I get back from the UK!!
That is right - I am back again, for another wedding. This time I will be spending most of it down in Cornwall though, so I really don't have too much time on my hands. I am having a general get together with local Bristol friends on Friday 3rd Sept, 7.30 onwards - not sure when. I will contact you all soon!! BUt I will be on my British mobile though. I can't drink, but it would be great to see everyone again, especially as we probably won't be coming back again for a long time - the wedding we were planning on coming to has been put back a year, so we won't be coming over in May 2011. Maybe summer.......
So Paul has come back from his 3 week stint away - one week in California, then straight to the UK for 2 weeks. He has seen the odd people about. I kept myself busy with running, P90xing and watching Bones. My friend came over to cook me dinner - YUM! Celebrated another friends birthday! ALl in all, it wasn't too bad!! My turn next, as he loves to remind me!
He has returned with Jacob - blimey - he has grown at least 3 inches!! Wow! BUt they have time off together to spend at the pool.
We managed to get a coupon today for them both to go fishing for a couple of hours and recieve proper instruction. Jacob wasn't too pleased that he had to get up at 6.30am!!
So we get in the car, popped the top back on the car, and started driving. The radio was blathering on about some storms north of us....hmmmm....we think, nothing about here! How things change! 10 minutes in and the black clouds roll over. Lightening starts, and the RAIN!! The RAIN!! ANd the wind. We have had some real crazy storms here recently - tress being blown over by 80mph winds ontop of house and cars. It has been a scary few weeks with these summer storms. Likewise this morning. Crawling along becuase visibility is so reduced and the roads are proper flooded (5" rain water). Roads closed becasue the are impassable. Sirens everywhere. Horrid. But we all got in safe, and the storm blew over for them to have a fab time fishing! I was 10 minutes late for work, so not bad!
So this weekend is going to be a BBQ with Pauls work mates. Looking forward to that!
Lets hope the weather stays well for it!
Until next time xxxxxxx
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Time warp!
Sof:
Hola mis amigos!
Lo siento por .....I mean, I am sorry about the massive time warps between blogs! Life has been super busy, which I suppose is a good thing!!
To follow on from my dearest husband, I did indeed visit the UK ( I am terribly sorry to all those I didn't get round to see. I really had NO time to myself and was exhausted by the end of it!) for 3 of my extremely good friends weddings, my nieces 18th birthday and to help my friend in London move house....although actually she arranged that for the day after I flew in cos I was there! Love you Charlotte! But although I was a ZOMBIE for the day (I seriously didn't appreciate being woken at 9am, with my body doth protesting it was indeed 4am) and we worked our balls off, it was amazing to see Charlotte and Mr Moff and to spend some quality time in her new flat with A ROOF TERRACE!!! In London - so cool! And it was certainly appreciated that Miss Simmonds also sleep deprived herself to come visit on Sunday morning to partake of breakfast with us. Thank you people.
I had the wedding of Ali and Howard, make a new friend - hey Rachel! - and had a cracking time - HOW HOT!!???? I really think I brought the weather with me - it was soooo hot for the two weeks I came over - lovely!
Charlotte's 18th birthday was the following day, fab time spent with the family and a BBQ in the evening where I put my OT skills to use to prevent all the food being charcoal after 5 seconds! hehe!
I travelled up to Stoke on Trent for Claire and Ian's wedding - such a lovely and intimate affair. Thanks sweetie for allowing me to be a part of your special day! You must remember to send me photos / DVDs of the day!
And finally Ed and Becky's wedding. One of my oldest friends, finally being all grown up....HAHA that's a joke! Ed is a s grown up as me (love you!) Another amazing day, catching up with old school friends (Leann, we MUST stay in touch better). It was such a fantastic day, I was sad to have to leave early to drive back!
And with seeing all my other wonderful friends, and them feeding me and giving me a bed - I am so LUCKY to have these people in my life. You all know who you are. Thank you. And DAMN YOU!! It made it so much harder to leave!!
But, the good thing to hear is that I wanted to come back - I really feel like the US is my home. I think Paul being here was part of that (as he technically is my home!), but I wasn't ready to come back to the UK. People kept asking "was it strange to see your house", and I was like - no - this isn't my house, it is Rachel's, and I don't feel a connection to it right now. SO all is GOOD!
So coming back to the US, well, I had a job interview the following day (luckily jet lag isn't so bad coming over here - returning to the UK is a bitch) at the British Embassy. Well, that was certainly a funny interview. Got there, they took me upstairs, and detailed the job. They asked me if I had any questions. I said no, as I had asked most of what I wanted to know when I spoke to them on the phone. I then said, do you have any questions for me. My boss then said, well, I suppose I had better ask a question and asked me how I dealt with difficult callers!!! How funny. I think the interview was obviously a courtesy. I had a feeling it was, as they contacted me the day before I flew to the UK in response to my CV and offered me an interview the following week. I cursed (not on the phone!) as i thought I had missed my opportunity by flying back. I explained the situation, and the call was terminated. That's it. I thought, no fecking job for me....imagine my surprise when 10 minutes later I had a call back to tell me that they would interview me when I get back...and by the way could I start straight away if I was successful?! RIGHT ON!!
So I got the job, and started that Thursday. But in the meantime, Sheila (Paul's mum) and her partner, Bob, flew in the next day, to stay with us for a month. So we had a hectic household! Needless to say my sax practise went down the pan! And the weather became impossible. Humidity reaching 90% with temperatures reaching 101 degrees - we are still in the 'heat wave' although it is tropical raining today as I type. Made doing the touristy things quite difficult, but we had such a fantastic time! I did things that I hadn't yet done or seen, we had a road trip up to Canada, dropping the parents off at Niagara Falls for them to do their own thing. They got a train from there to NYC and then trained back to us a few days after. We went up to Canada for BBQ's, pool parties and fun fun fun! It is a 9 hour drive, so completely doable. Fuel is so cheap it only cost us around $60 to drive there (about 40GBP). We can't wait to go back in Aug to spend some time with the Munro's and their friends at their cottage by the lake - Canadians call this type of holiday 'cottaging'. Please don't laugh!!!! You dirty people! And Jacob will be with us: even better!
We have joined a local outdoor pool, 5 min drive down the road, and it is really nice. The parents and Paul have enjoyed it, but I haven't yet - planning on that tomorrow if the weather is OK! Mainly joined for Jacob's benefit, as he is a water baby, and August will be so bloody hot (although, in all honesty, it is August weather right now!) so a pool was ideal!
I am really enjoying my job. Working on the switchboard (yes - phones, I know) but it is different. I am not surgically attached to the headset, my calls aren't monitored, I have other duties to attend to (admin stuff) and I am my own boss. Really relaxed, and 2 days a week. Lovely!
We celebrated the 4th July with Terry and Brenda (Paul worked with Terry in the UK). I am not sure if we have mentioned them, they are an American family based in Maryland. I have become friends with their daughter - Megan. We had a 'cook-off' (BBQ) and they lit fireworks in their back yard / field! Fun fun fun again! The only bad thing was forgetting they had a pool and not bringing our swim suits!
The fireworks here are, I would say, TOO BLOODY LOUD! Honestly, it was like being in a war zone. The British were back to reclaim their territory! hehe! Seriously though, never heard anything like it!
So the last thing I will say is that I have signed up for the Bristol half marathon again in September. Which, in hindsight, was so foolish. The weather out here is not very conducive to training - so humid and hot. I am not sure I I will manage it, but I will give it a go! Bloody chafing!!
Anyway - that is it for now. I will try to keep up with this more regularly (I know we say that every time!).
Love you all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hola mis amigos!
Lo siento por .....I mean, I am sorry about the massive time warps between blogs! Life has been super busy, which I suppose is a good thing!!
To follow on from my dearest husband, I did indeed visit the UK ( I am terribly sorry to all those I didn't get round to see. I really had NO time to myself and was exhausted by the end of it!) for 3 of my extremely good friends weddings, my nieces 18th birthday and to help my friend in London move house....although actually she arranged that for the day after I flew in cos I was there! Love you Charlotte! But although I was a ZOMBIE for the day (I seriously didn't appreciate being woken at 9am, with my body doth protesting it was indeed 4am) and we worked our balls off, it was amazing to see Charlotte and Mr Moff and to spend some quality time in her new flat with A ROOF TERRACE!!! In London - so cool! And it was certainly appreciated that Miss Simmonds also sleep deprived herself to come visit on Sunday morning to partake of breakfast with us. Thank you people.
I had the wedding of Ali and Howard, make a new friend - hey Rachel! - and had a cracking time - HOW HOT!!???? I really think I brought the weather with me - it was soooo hot for the two weeks I came over - lovely!
Charlotte's 18th birthday was the following day, fab time spent with the family and a BBQ in the evening where I put my OT skills to use to prevent all the food being charcoal after 5 seconds! hehe!
I travelled up to Stoke on Trent for Claire and Ian's wedding - such a lovely and intimate affair. Thanks sweetie for allowing me to be a part of your special day! You must remember to send me photos / DVDs of the day!
And finally Ed and Becky's wedding. One of my oldest friends, finally being all grown up....HAHA that's a joke! Ed is a s grown up as me (love you!) Another amazing day, catching up with old school friends (Leann, we MUST stay in touch better). It was such a fantastic day, I was sad to have to leave early to drive back!
And with seeing all my other wonderful friends, and them feeding me and giving me a bed - I am so LUCKY to have these people in my life. You all know who you are. Thank you. And DAMN YOU!! It made it so much harder to leave!!
But, the good thing to hear is that I wanted to come back - I really feel like the US is my home. I think Paul being here was part of that (as he technically is my home!), but I wasn't ready to come back to the UK. People kept asking "was it strange to see your house", and I was like - no - this isn't my house, it is Rachel's, and I don't feel a connection to it right now. SO all is GOOD!
So coming back to the US, well, I had a job interview the following day (luckily jet lag isn't so bad coming over here - returning to the UK is a bitch) at the British Embassy. Well, that was certainly a funny interview. Got there, they took me upstairs, and detailed the job. They asked me if I had any questions. I said no, as I had asked most of what I wanted to know when I spoke to them on the phone. I then said, do you have any questions for me. My boss then said, well, I suppose I had better ask a question and asked me how I dealt with difficult callers!!! How funny. I think the interview was obviously a courtesy. I had a feeling it was, as they contacted me the day before I flew to the UK in response to my CV and offered me an interview the following week. I cursed (not on the phone!) as i thought I had missed my opportunity by flying back. I explained the situation, and the call was terminated. That's it. I thought, no fecking job for me....imagine my surprise when 10 minutes later I had a call back to tell me that they would interview me when I get back...and by the way could I start straight away if I was successful?! RIGHT ON!!
So I got the job, and started that Thursday. But in the meantime, Sheila (Paul's mum) and her partner, Bob, flew in the next day, to stay with us for a month. So we had a hectic household! Needless to say my sax practise went down the pan! And the weather became impossible. Humidity reaching 90% with temperatures reaching 101 degrees - we are still in the 'heat wave' although it is tropical raining today as I type. Made doing the touristy things quite difficult, but we had such a fantastic time! I did things that I hadn't yet done or seen, we had a road trip up to Canada, dropping the parents off at Niagara Falls for them to do their own thing. They got a train from there to NYC and then trained back to us a few days after. We went up to Canada for BBQ's, pool parties and fun fun fun! It is a 9 hour drive, so completely doable. Fuel is so cheap it only cost us around $60 to drive there (about 40GBP). We can't wait to go back in Aug to spend some time with the Munro's and their friends at their cottage by the lake - Canadians call this type of holiday 'cottaging'. Please don't laugh!!!! You dirty people! And Jacob will be with us: even better!
We have joined a local outdoor pool, 5 min drive down the road, and it is really nice. The parents and Paul have enjoyed it, but I haven't yet - planning on that tomorrow if the weather is OK! Mainly joined for Jacob's benefit, as he is a water baby, and August will be so bloody hot (although, in all honesty, it is August weather right now!) so a pool was ideal!
I am really enjoying my job. Working on the switchboard (yes - phones, I know) but it is different. I am not surgically attached to the headset, my calls aren't monitored, I have other duties to attend to (admin stuff) and I am my own boss. Really relaxed, and 2 days a week. Lovely!
We celebrated the 4th July with Terry and Brenda (Paul worked with Terry in the UK). I am not sure if we have mentioned them, they are an American family based in Maryland. I have become friends with their daughter - Megan. We had a 'cook-off' (BBQ) and they lit fireworks in their back yard / field! Fun fun fun again! The only bad thing was forgetting they had a pool and not bringing our swim suits!
The fireworks here are, I would say, TOO BLOODY LOUD! Honestly, it was like being in a war zone. The British were back to reclaim their territory! hehe! Seriously though, never heard anything like it!
So the last thing I will say is that I have signed up for the Bristol half marathon again in September. Which, in hindsight, was so foolish. The weather out here is not very conducive to training - so humid and hot. I am not sure I I will manage it, but I will give it a go! Bloody chafing!!
Anyway - that is it for now. I will try to keep up with this more regularly (I know we say that every time!).
Love you all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Redneck Riot
Paul:
Well..it has been too long and I have been banished to write the next installment of our American adventure.
What has changed since our last contact. Sof has been back to the UK for a massive round of weddings and birthdays. She left me all alone to fend off the cats during that fortnight. I was terribly brave! I will let Sof describe her UK adventure as it really is her role to keep you informed on those things.
I however managed to survive a couple of weeks of eating KFC and Pizza. (joke: Sof was very proud as I even bought some vegetables for myself). I was the only person on the house so the Cats had to put up with being kept in during the day when I was at work. That led to some manic nights where the cats were desperate to get out and spent several hours walking across my face during the night to persuade me to let them out. Never happened! All in all trying to keep in constant contact with anyone in the UK is very difficult, If they have a schedule like Sof had during that two weeks it is almost impossible. We managed to speak about 9 times which was pretty nearly a miracle. When she came back I was mightily pleased I can exclusively reveal!.
The next major news is that Sof is now a working girl....well not quite in that context. She is working on the phones at the British Embassy, I always said that if she put the effort in and studied hard she could make a secretary of some sort eventually. One in the win column for her effort there!. She is rather enjoying it and apart from having an even longer travel day than me at the moment, it is an effective stopgap until she gets any sort of clearance to work as an OT out here. Again her story not mine, but a few extra dollars a week will make the travelling plans a bit more interesting.
Next: we are off to Canada on Friday. Sof and I drive to Toronto and My Mum and Bob are going to stay in Niagara for a couple of days. What? Huh? Oh! had I not mentioned that? Yeah alright...Mum and her friend Bob have come out for a month! They did a sterling job and saved up tons to come out and live the life of Riley. They have been pretty much everywhere too. They have visited Museums, Alexandria, have an unnatural attraction to Union Station (no idea why) and dragged us off to a motor racing meet. It actually turned out to be pretty cool in the end. Car smashes galore and a ton of free stuff from a National Guard lady who was mesmerised by my accent. The only downside is the air quality. The spray dry cement dust on the track to give the drivers traction. Not very good for the asthmatic among us.
Lastly is the confirmation that Jacob is coming out for three weeks in August. I will accompany him on the way out and he will come back on bank Holiday Monday. Have to start planning for that. I am back in the UK for two weeks from the end of July to about 7th August. Lots to plan and no time to do it in. especially as am on the west coast of the US just the week before I fly back to Blighty.
So to recap...Parent here, Canada for a long weekend, Sof Earning (not on the streets), Jacob coming ad I need more Junk Food.
Off to do a Barbie now...Love you and speak soon. XX
Well..it has been too long and I have been banished to write the next installment of our American adventure.
What has changed since our last contact. Sof has been back to the UK for a massive round of weddings and birthdays. She left me all alone to fend off the cats during that fortnight. I was terribly brave! I will let Sof describe her UK adventure as it really is her role to keep you informed on those things.
I however managed to survive a couple of weeks of eating KFC and Pizza. (joke: Sof was very proud as I even bought some vegetables for myself). I was the only person on the house so the Cats had to put up with being kept in during the day when I was at work. That led to some manic nights where the cats were desperate to get out and spent several hours walking across my face during the night to persuade me to let them out. Never happened! All in all trying to keep in constant contact with anyone in the UK is very difficult, If they have a schedule like Sof had during that two weeks it is almost impossible. We managed to speak about 9 times which was pretty nearly a miracle. When she came back I was mightily pleased I can exclusively reveal!.
The next major news is that Sof is now a working girl....well not quite in that context. She is working on the phones at the British Embassy, I always said that if she put the effort in and studied hard she could make a secretary of some sort eventually. One in the win column for her effort there!. She is rather enjoying it and apart from having an even longer travel day than me at the moment, it is an effective stopgap until she gets any sort of clearance to work as an OT out here. Again her story not mine, but a few extra dollars a week will make the travelling plans a bit more interesting.
Next: we are off to Canada on Friday. Sof and I drive to Toronto and My Mum and Bob are going to stay in Niagara for a couple of days. What? Huh? Oh! had I not mentioned that? Yeah alright...Mum and her friend Bob have come out for a month! They did a sterling job and saved up tons to come out and live the life of Riley. They have been pretty much everywhere too. They have visited Museums, Alexandria, have an unnatural attraction to Union Station (no idea why) and dragged us off to a motor racing meet. It actually turned out to be pretty cool in the end. Car smashes galore and a ton of free stuff from a National Guard lady who was mesmerised by my accent. The only downside is the air quality. The spray dry cement dust on the track to give the drivers traction. Not very good for the asthmatic among us.
Lastly is the confirmation that Jacob is coming out for three weeks in August. I will accompany him on the way out and he will come back on bank Holiday Monday. Have to start planning for that. I am back in the UK for two weeks from the end of July to about 7th August. Lots to plan and no time to do it in. especially as am on the west coast of the US just the week before I fly back to Blighty.
So to recap...Parent here, Canada for a long weekend, Sof Earning (not on the streets), Jacob coming ad I need more Junk Food.
Off to do a Barbie now...Love you and speak soon. XX
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Daily Grind
PAUL:
Well empty house and all that malarkey. Actually to be honest it has been really nice to be able to rattle in the house again. Just to take stock of finances and get a familiar routine back on.
We have been to the baseball again, this time to see the Florida Marlins. Fairly upset that I lost my 100% record of watching Nats victories but still thoroughly enjoyable. Even got tickets to see another game in a couple of weeks time. Getting to be a regular thing really. Good night out and not too expensive (especially with the thank you present that you get from the Washington Nationals every time you see a game. Half price tickets on the Foul Line (good view). The food is also pretty good. We tried Chicken tenders this time and they were a pretty substantial meal for only about $10. Could be better but for $5 you get a stringy looking hot dog that barely scratches the surface. We also spotted a BBQ item at the game called a short rib that we will try next time. Basically a bone as big as your forearm and coated in a delicious looking sauce. plus a BBQ corn on the cob - outstanding.
Big news of the week is Sof's decision to return to the UK for a couple of weeks at the end of May. There were already two weddings taking place then but the flight costs were way too high to justify a return. Then another last minute wedding got added and happened before my Nieces 18th birthday and flights got (a bit) cheaper and lo and behold, Sof is booked on the next available flight. Means I will have to tend the flowers (and mow the bloody lawn) whilst she swans off around the country. Around the country is right, she will visit London, Bath, Bristol, Weston, Cornwall Yeovil, Taunton and Stoke-on-Trent during two weeks. Rather her than me I say.
The cats are completely settled in. Chaos is a complete homebody, she gets let out and sits either on the balcony or just at the edge of the garden looking in to the woods. What a complete wuss. She tried to chase a few squirrels but to be honest they had her sussed from the first minute, now she can't be bothered and just looks longingly at them and the odd passing bird. Dini however is a complete git! Let her out and she's off. last night we were stood calling for an hour as the sun went down before she ambled back looking quite smug. Sof even got our first woodland present yesterday in the form of the carcass of a shrew. Nice! Sof wrapped it up and out of sight of the cat (she didn't want Dini to think she didn't like the gift) put it in the trash. Dini was apparently not best pleased!
Chaos did get a small infection, basically because she will only drink when someone is on the loo! Got the water fountain now and she is sorted but Dini is terrified of the noise it makes so we are running a dual water supply for them both now. Bowls for Dini and fountain for Chaos. Not that we are henpecked by the little kitties but we want them to be happy.
Lastly we got a little present for the kitties yesterday. We normally buy stuff that we like and hope the cats will too. Normally turns out pretty bad, as large numbers of discarded toys will testify too. This time Sof saw a brush on TV that proclaimed to remove lots of hair and the pets still enjoy it!? Chaos doesn't mind being brushed (with an old hairbrush) but Dini is not a lover of those sessions where we try and make her look a bit more presentable and perhaps a bit cooler too. The brush arrived (it is called THE FURMINATOR - I know great isn't it) and one pillow cases worth of hair later it has been declared a success. You would not believe how effective the brush is. Little teeth (like those on a pair of hair clippers) and a stiff brushing action has left the house covered in little fluff bunnies. It is freaky how a ball of hair can actually exceed the size of the cat that it came from! Chaos is actually 30% as a result. The big bonus is that the cats love it. They roll over, sit down for you and purr like they have been seen to by the George Clooney of the tom-cat world - Sluts.
Love you all and make sure you feed my wife if the Volcano goes off again
X
Well empty house and all that malarkey. Actually to be honest it has been really nice to be able to rattle in the house again. Just to take stock of finances and get a familiar routine back on.
We have been to the baseball again, this time to see the Florida Marlins. Fairly upset that I lost my 100% record of watching Nats victories but still thoroughly enjoyable. Even got tickets to see another game in a couple of weeks time. Getting to be a regular thing really. Good night out and not too expensive (especially with the thank you present that you get from the Washington Nationals every time you see a game. Half price tickets on the Foul Line (good view). The food is also pretty good. We tried Chicken tenders this time and they were a pretty substantial meal for only about $10. Could be better but for $5 you get a stringy looking hot dog that barely scratches the surface. We also spotted a BBQ item at the game called a short rib that we will try next time. Basically a bone as big as your forearm and coated in a delicious looking sauce. plus a BBQ corn on the cob - outstanding.
Big news of the week is Sof's decision to return to the UK for a couple of weeks at the end of May. There were already two weddings taking place then but the flight costs were way too high to justify a return. Then another last minute wedding got added and happened before my Nieces 18th birthday and flights got (a bit) cheaper and lo and behold, Sof is booked on the next available flight. Means I will have to tend the flowers (and mow the bloody lawn) whilst she swans off around the country. Around the country is right, she will visit London, Bath, Bristol, Weston, Cornwall Yeovil, Taunton and Stoke-on-Trent during two weeks. Rather her than me I say.
The cats are completely settled in. Chaos is a complete homebody, she gets let out and sits either on the balcony or just at the edge of the garden looking in to the woods. What a complete wuss. She tried to chase a few squirrels but to be honest they had her sussed from the first minute, now she can't be bothered and just looks longingly at them and the odd passing bird. Dini however is a complete git! Let her out and she's off. last night we were stood calling for an hour as the sun went down before she ambled back looking quite smug. Sof even got our first woodland present yesterday in the form of the carcass of a shrew. Nice! Sof wrapped it up and out of sight of the cat (she didn't want Dini to think she didn't like the gift) put it in the trash. Dini was apparently not best pleased!
Chaos did get a small infection, basically because she will only drink when someone is on the loo! Got the water fountain now and she is sorted but Dini is terrified of the noise it makes so we are running a dual water supply for them both now. Bowls for Dini and fountain for Chaos. Not that we are henpecked by the little kitties but we want them to be happy.
Lastly we got a little present for the kitties yesterday. We normally buy stuff that we like and hope the cats will too. Normally turns out pretty bad, as large numbers of discarded toys will testify too. This time Sof saw a brush on TV that proclaimed to remove lots of hair and the pets still enjoy it!? Chaos doesn't mind being brushed (with an old hairbrush) but Dini is not a lover of those sessions where we try and make her look a bit more presentable and perhaps a bit cooler too. The brush arrived (it is called THE FURMINATOR - I know great isn't it) and one pillow cases worth of hair later it has been declared a success. You would not believe how effective the brush is. Little teeth (like those on a pair of hair clippers) and a stiff brushing action has left the house covered in little fluff bunnies. It is freaky how a ball of hair can actually exceed the size of the cat that it came from! Chaos is actually 30% as a result. The big bonus is that the cats love it. They roll over, sit down for you and purr like they have been seen to by the George Clooney of the tom-cat world - Sluts.
Love you all and make sure you feed my wife if the Volcano goes off again
X
Friday, April 30, 2010
Random musings....
Sof:
I have decided that I really love Baseball. Yeah, I know it is just a glorified game of rounders, but it is such a great experience! It is really family orientated, loads to do if you don't want to watch the game (OK - all PS3 related - but free!!), and such a fantastic atmosphere!
One of the reasons I hate football (or soccer) is due to rivalry between the teams. The way they HATE each other, and can't stand to be next to someone of a different colour. Ergh - give me rugby any day, where 2 teams fans will easily sit in the pub and watch the match together. Same with baseball - first match, next to Philadelphia fans, next games, Rockies fans and third, Los Angeles fans. All mixed up, all bantering, all having a laugh together. Great times.
I may of said this before, but everything the Americans do is focused on food - Baseball is no exception. There are sooooooo many food outlets, with only 1 selling 'healthy' food - pitta bread, hummus and chips (crisps)....hmmmmmm....... OK - it is pricey, but the portions sizes are massive, easily shared. And yummy! Beer is very expensive - $8 for a bottle of Bud or some other shit 'beer', plus if you get it from the dudes that walk around hocking their wares, you need to give them tip too!! I have worked out it is a $1 tip for every thing you purchase. Amazing! I love their t-shits - on the back "Eating is not a spectator sport" - ha!
But the free PS# games are good - Buzz, SingStar, GrandTurismo 5, and baseball. The racing is great, as they have set it up with bucket seats and proper steering wheels, that actually behave like a real car would. Makes it harder! I tried out the London circuit (the dude thought I was mad, as I was crap enough as it was without trying a difficult curvy course) but it gave me a taste of home....sigh...... It was nice too, cos the dude recognised me from before. He is a bit young though.....lovely eyes! This time we were with Neil and Anna, as they also love baseball. They managed to catch the San Fransisco Giants on their recent trip (for those in the dark - they ended up with us due to the volcanic ash, as they were stuck in Vegas!)
Baseball is relatively cheap too. The first game we went to, the tickets were only $22 each, and they were really good seats! And once you have been, they then give you the opportunity to purchase further tickets for better seats at half price! Nice!
Anyway - you are probably sick of hearing about it now - apologies.
With Neil and Anna, we discovered our local (well, you have to drive there) Karaoke bar. SO much fun was had by all. I love singing 'Paradise by the Dashboard Light' with Paul! Neil and I went to see Kevin Smith (of Dogma fame) in a personal Q&A session. Great fun! Especially as we were in a synagogue! I said that Neil should have got us discount, being Jewish and all....hmmm......I managed to startle a couple of Americans by talking to them randomly. Well, if they will wear a name badge, of course I will call them by their names - so funny, he thought we knew each other!!
The rest of Mum and Jacobs trip was good, we did loads and played lots of Uno. Jacob loves the food out here - I have never seen a child, nor adult, pack away so much junk food and sweets as he did. In one day, he managed 3 cheeseburgers! Amazing! But he was on holiday, so we let it lie.....I said to him if he lived here he would be fat, and he agreed! I have already added to my girth, enough for me to get ansy about it, so now everyone has gone, the exercise regime starts once again. Good job I love running!
We are now eagerly anticipating the last of the parents visits - Mother Bryan comes out on June 8th, for a month, really looking forward to seeing her.
I have applied for some jobs - cinema staff, busty bar maid, and just recently, a receptionist / switchboard at the British Embassy. They pay relatively well, and it is only a 3 day a week job. I have looked into some nursing assistant jobs at the hospital up the road (walking distance) and discovered I had to complete an American Heart Association CPR course ($75!!) which I have duly done. They have an employment freeze on at the mo, so I am keeping my ears open there. I am still waiting to hear back from UWE for some forms I still need to complete my application to work as an OT out here - honestly, they are taking so bloody long!! Paul is settled in his job, been to Florida a couple of time already (OK for some!) We are hoping to take Jacob down to Florida at some point soon - can't wait!
Re the cats - both are good, although Chaos developed a urine infection, which set us back $237....yeas, that much just for a test and a jab of antibiotics. Blimey! Seriously thinking of pet insurance, so expensive! But she is all better now. We will invest in one of those pet drinking fountains, as she seems to only want to drink out of the taps!!
OK people, hope this has satisfied your cravings (I am amazed at how many people are interested in our lives and read this crap I write!!). We are off to some 'British pub' tonight as one of Paul's colleagues has managed to secure cheap drinks and free food! Whoop! And the remake of Freddy Kruger comes out tonight......so looking forward to that!!
Love you xxxxxxxx
I have decided that I really love Baseball. Yeah, I know it is just a glorified game of rounders, but it is such a great experience! It is really family orientated, loads to do if you don't want to watch the game (OK - all PS3 related - but free!!), and such a fantastic atmosphere!
One of the reasons I hate football (or soccer) is due to rivalry between the teams. The way they HATE each other, and can't stand to be next to someone of a different colour. Ergh - give me rugby any day, where 2 teams fans will easily sit in the pub and watch the match together. Same with baseball - first match, next to Philadelphia fans, next games, Rockies fans and third, Los Angeles fans. All mixed up, all bantering, all having a laugh together. Great times.
I may of said this before, but everything the Americans do is focused on food - Baseball is no exception. There are sooooooo many food outlets, with only 1 selling 'healthy' food - pitta bread, hummus and chips (crisps)....hmmmmmm....... OK - it is pricey, but the portions sizes are massive, easily shared. And yummy! Beer is very expensive - $8 for a bottle of Bud or some other shit 'beer', plus if you get it from the dudes that walk around hocking their wares, you need to give them tip too!! I have worked out it is a $1 tip for every thing you purchase. Amazing! I love their t-shits - on the back "Eating is not a spectator sport" - ha!
But the free PS# games are good - Buzz, SingStar, GrandTurismo 5, and baseball. The racing is great, as they have set it up with bucket seats and proper steering wheels, that actually behave like a real car would. Makes it harder! I tried out the London circuit (the dude thought I was mad, as I was crap enough as it was without trying a difficult curvy course) but it gave me a taste of home....sigh...... It was nice too, cos the dude recognised me from before. He is a bit young though.....lovely eyes! This time we were with Neil and Anna, as they also love baseball. They managed to catch the San Fransisco Giants on their recent trip (for those in the dark - they ended up with us due to the volcanic ash, as they were stuck in Vegas!)
Baseball is relatively cheap too. The first game we went to, the tickets were only $22 each, and they were really good seats! And once you have been, they then give you the opportunity to purchase further tickets for better seats at half price! Nice!
Anyway - you are probably sick of hearing about it now - apologies.
With Neil and Anna, we discovered our local (well, you have to drive there) Karaoke bar. SO much fun was had by all. I love singing 'Paradise by the Dashboard Light' with Paul! Neil and I went to see Kevin Smith (of Dogma fame) in a personal Q&A session. Great fun! Especially as we were in a synagogue! I said that Neil should have got us discount, being Jewish and all....hmmm......I managed to startle a couple of Americans by talking to them randomly. Well, if they will wear a name badge, of course I will call them by their names - so funny, he thought we knew each other!!
The rest of Mum and Jacobs trip was good, we did loads and played lots of Uno. Jacob loves the food out here - I have never seen a child, nor adult, pack away so much junk food and sweets as he did. In one day, he managed 3 cheeseburgers! Amazing! But he was on holiday, so we let it lie.....I said to him if he lived here he would be fat, and he agreed! I have already added to my girth, enough for me to get ansy about it, so now everyone has gone, the exercise regime starts once again. Good job I love running!
We are now eagerly anticipating the last of the parents visits - Mother Bryan comes out on June 8th, for a month, really looking forward to seeing her.
I have applied for some jobs - cinema staff, busty bar maid, and just recently, a receptionist / switchboard at the British Embassy. They pay relatively well, and it is only a 3 day a week job. I have looked into some nursing assistant jobs at the hospital up the road (walking distance) and discovered I had to complete an American Heart Association CPR course ($75!!) which I have duly done. They have an employment freeze on at the mo, so I am keeping my ears open there. I am still waiting to hear back from UWE for some forms I still need to complete my application to work as an OT out here - honestly, they are taking so bloody long!! Paul is settled in his job, been to Florida a couple of time already (OK for some!) We are hoping to take Jacob down to Florida at some point soon - can't wait!
Re the cats - both are good, although Chaos developed a urine infection, which set us back $237....yeas, that much just for a test and a jab of antibiotics. Blimey! Seriously thinking of pet insurance, so expensive! But she is all better now. We will invest in one of those pet drinking fountains, as she seems to only want to drink out of the taps!!
OK people, hope this has satisfied your cravings (I am amazed at how many people are interested in our lives and read this crap I write!!). We are off to some 'British pub' tonight as one of Paul's colleagues has managed to secure cheap drinks and free food! Whoop! And the remake of Freddy Kruger comes out tonight......so looking forward to that!!
Love you xxxxxxxx
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
VolcanOMG
Paul:
Ok enough with the OMG references but seriously I thought that deserved it.
Well again it has been a while and we apologise for our laxness. The main reason for it has been the visit of yet more family members and the mass travelling that normally ensues. Of course for any of you blighty followers you may have heard that there has been a bit of disruption to some of the flights and we have had some unexpected good news.
Jacob and Lolita were due to fly at 10pm on Thursday last week, that was day one of the disruption. They have been told that the first flight they will be on is on Tuesday the 27th. so from the 15th April through to the 27th they are having to stick it out here at Chez Brycock. Jacob has missed a week and a half of school (he is really missing the homework...really, he asked his mum to get some for him). His mum has been really great about it. Having owned up to really missing him just before he was supposed to return, she has had to wait a further twelve days and is coping admirably. She has also not blamed me. Apparently when it became clear it was an act of God I became chief suspect LOL.
Lolita has had to tell her boss a couple of times that she really is stuck in a different country and not skiving. Genius!
I had a 8 day break from work to spend with the family and it was really jam packed. Caves, Baseball, The Harlem Globetrotters, Museums left right and centre, Waterfall walks. Outstanding really.
The globetrotters were brilliant. they really put on a great show and Jacob 5really enjoyed it. The Great Falls waterfall were fab. We walked about 2 miles downstream and saw a high water mark that blew our minds. Imagine about a 40 foot ravine that gets really narrow. When the rains come the water can't get through t quick enough and the river backs up. It then came over 12 feet above the walking level on TOP of the ravine. Crazy.
At the weekend we had booked in to see one of my old work colleagues in Maryland. He very gracefully extended the invitation to the extra two visitors and we headed over to his house for a cracking barbie and a walk up "Sugarloaf Mountain". Not the famous ones from Brazil or Maine but a slightly smaller equivalent at 1200 feet. We drove to near the top and did a spot of walking to complete the journey. Love it! Finished off the evening by a campfire making 's'mores'. Now a S'more is a curious beast. Imaging a Ryvita shaped Digestive type biscuit that you can break into two perfect squares. Two marshmallow that you toast over the fire. Pull one of the mallows on to one of the squares of digestives, add a square of Hershey's chocolate and put the other mallow on top of that. Then put the other square of digestive on top and watch your sugar levels soot up. Crikey what a rush.
I am back at work now and getting back in to the swing of things. Despite having a email inbox of epic proportions I have managed quite well to start waking up so bloomin early again. As a result the pace of life has slowed in the house again. Not so many trips out and more Uno on the balcony (only for the non-workers). Sof has applied or a couple of jobs so we shall wait and see how that turns out. She is off to take a mandatory CPR course to help get some hospital work. Will let her tell you about that.
Brycock Manor...Population 2....no Wait 4 (gotta add in Jacob and Lolita...no...blimey...you have got to be kidding...population 6.
Oh yeah Wednesday morning two More stranded Brits will ease in to the house. Neil and Anna were having a well earned break in Vegas and were due to fly home on Monday. Virgin told them that they could come to DC and get a flight on 4th May (yeah the 4th of May two weeks later) or stay in Vegas get one the 11th May (three whole weeks). We said they were welcome here at a much reduced rate so they will increase the number of UK citizens and provide two extra laps for the cats to sit on.
We are seriously looking forward to catching u with the Francis' and will no doubt be delayed providing more updates to this Blog as we party yet further. Sof even had some time to go off Baseballing with Jacob again tonight. Lolita and I are at home trying to see them on TV.
Suffice to say it is really busy out here and we are loving every minute.
Love you all and miss you (a bit) xxxx
Ok enough with the OMG references but seriously I thought that deserved it.
Well again it has been a while and we apologise for our laxness. The main reason for it has been the visit of yet more family members and the mass travelling that normally ensues. Of course for any of you blighty followers you may have heard that there has been a bit of disruption to some of the flights and we have had some unexpected good news.
Jacob and Lolita were due to fly at 10pm on Thursday last week, that was day one of the disruption. They have been told that the first flight they will be on is on Tuesday the 27th. so from the 15th April through to the 27th they are having to stick it out here at Chez Brycock. Jacob has missed a week and a half of school (he is really missing the homework...really, he asked his mum to get some for him). His mum has been really great about it. Having owned up to really missing him just before he was supposed to return, she has had to wait a further twelve days and is coping admirably. She has also not blamed me. Apparently when it became clear it was an act of God I became chief suspect LOL.
Lolita has had to tell her boss a couple of times that she really is stuck in a different country and not skiving. Genius!
I had a 8 day break from work to spend with the family and it was really jam packed. Caves, Baseball, The Harlem Globetrotters, Museums left right and centre, Waterfall walks. Outstanding really.
The globetrotters were brilliant. they really put on a great show and Jacob 5really enjoyed it. The Great Falls waterfall were fab. We walked about 2 miles downstream and saw a high water mark that blew our minds. Imagine about a 40 foot ravine that gets really narrow. When the rains come the water can't get through t quick enough and the river backs up. It then came over 12 feet above the walking level on TOP of the ravine. Crazy.
At the weekend we had booked in to see one of my old work colleagues in Maryland. He very gracefully extended the invitation to the extra two visitors and we headed over to his house for a cracking barbie and a walk up "Sugarloaf Mountain". Not the famous ones from Brazil or Maine but a slightly smaller equivalent at 1200 feet. We drove to near the top and did a spot of walking to complete the journey. Love it! Finished off the evening by a campfire making 's'mores'. Now a S'more is a curious beast. Imaging a Ryvita shaped Digestive type biscuit that you can break into two perfect squares. Two marshmallow that you toast over the fire. Pull one of the mallows on to one of the squares of digestives, add a square of Hershey's chocolate and put the other mallow on top of that. Then put the other square of digestive on top and watch your sugar levels soot up. Crikey what a rush.
I am back at work now and getting back in to the swing of things. Despite having a email inbox of epic proportions I have managed quite well to start waking up so bloomin early again. As a result the pace of life has slowed in the house again. Not so many trips out and more Uno on the balcony (only for the non-workers). Sof has applied or a couple of jobs so we shall wait and see how that turns out. She is off to take a mandatory CPR course to help get some hospital work. Will let her tell you about that.
Brycock Manor...Population 2....no Wait 4 (gotta add in Jacob and Lolita...no...blimey...you have got to be kidding...population 6.
Oh yeah Wednesday morning two More stranded Brits will ease in to the house. Neil and Anna were having a well earned break in Vegas and were due to fly home on Monday. Virgin told them that they could come to DC and get a flight on 4th May (yeah the 4th of May two weeks later) or stay in Vegas get one the 11th May (three whole weeks). We said they were welcome here at a much reduced rate so they will increase the number of UK citizens and provide two extra laps for the cats to sit on.
We are seriously looking forward to catching u with the Francis' and will no doubt be delayed providing more updates to this Blog as we party yet further. Sof even had some time to go off Baseballing with Jacob again tonight. Lolita and I are at home trying to see them on TV.
Suffice to say it is really busy out here and we are loving every minute.
Love you all and miss you (a bit) xxxx
Thursday, April 8, 2010
American Life
SOF:
so here we are, sitting in the Washington nationals stadium, watching baseball (using their free wifi!). In the hazy sunshine. Lovely. I even have a very large soda by my side. And Jacob! And amazingly, so far, the Nats aren't doing too badly!
Can life get any more American?!
We have had some great days so far. We went down to the Tidal Basin to see all the cherry blossom trees out in bloom. It was so amazingly pretty. And as crowded, but well worth it. The following day we took a trip down to Arlington cemetery again and checked out
more of the mahoosive place. It is so big and quite uniform..... Although I suppose that fits into the military theme!!!
We also had our first invite to a BBQ- I know it's only April... It's been a consistent 28-33 degrees sine the family arrived! So it was really nice to meet Pauls work mates and socialise! Thanks Iain and Alison!
We also decided to watch the cherry blossom fireworks that evening, but all agreed that we didn't want to face the crowds again. We checked out the local map and decided that we could watch them from over the river in Virginia. There was a handy car park just adjacent. So off we go....along with other savvy firework lovers. We found one of the few spaces remaining, nearly destroying the undercarriage of the car in the process! Look, from where I was sitting in my low down sports car, I couldn't see the huge drop of the Tarmac onto the grass! Hmmmmmm...
We also discover that we are right next door to Regan airport- I don't think I have ever been that close to a plane whilst it was landing! It was so kool!!
So we while the time away playing Uno by the river, with the sun setting in the distance. And then the fireworks - a good show!
So I'm now not sure what has happened to my font or size- hopefully you won't have any idea of what I'm talking about!! Bloody itouch!
I'll lead you know, so I can carry on watching the game. Xxxx
so here we are, sitting in the Washington nationals stadium, watching baseball (using their free wifi!). In the hazy sunshine. Lovely. I even have a very large soda by my side. And Jacob! And amazingly, so far, the Nats aren't doing too badly!
Can life get any more American?!
We have had some great days so far. We went down to the Tidal Basin to see all the cherry blossom trees out in bloom. It was so amazingly pretty. And as crowded, but well worth it. The following day we took a trip down to Arlington cemetery again and checked out
more of the mahoosive place. It is so big and quite uniform..... Although I suppose that fits into the military theme!!!
We also had our first invite to a BBQ- I know it's only April... It's been a consistent 28-33 degrees sine the family arrived! So it was really nice to meet Pauls work mates and socialise! Thanks Iain and Alison!
We also decided to watch the cherry blossom fireworks that evening, but all agreed that we didn't want to face the crowds again. We checked out the local map and decided that we could watch them from over the river in Virginia. There was a handy car park just adjacent. So off we go....along with other savvy firework lovers. We found one of the few spaces remaining, nearly destroying the undercarriage of the car in the process! Look, from where I was sitting in my low down sports car, I couldn't see the huge drop of the Tarmac onto the grass! Hmmmmmm...
We also discover that we are right next door to Regan airport- I don't think I have ever been that close to a plane whilst it was landing! It was so kool!!
So we while the time away playing Uno by the river, with the sun setting in the distance. And then the fireworks - a good show!
So I'm now not sure what has happened to my font or size- hopefully you won't have any idea of what I'm talking about!! Bloody itouch!
I'll lead you know, so I can carry on watching the game. Xxxx
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
American Driving
SOF:
We did it! We both passed our driving tests and are now proper legal, like......
We both did some serious swotting last night, I can tell you that stopping distance when travelling at 35mph is 135 feet! And the legally allowed amount of alcohol in your system is 0.08%.....maybe my copper friends can translate that into a comparison for Britain, as the UK do it in ml (i think!), but I ma sure it is higher here.
SO we get to the DMV at 8am, opening time, and there is a queue outside the closed doors,of around 15 people! Welcome to America!
We get in, take a ticket, fill out an application, and 45 minutes I get called. I get served by this sexy man, I mean, sexy voiced man (I duly told him this also....not that it was sexy...that I liked his accent....alot!!) Had a vision test (peer into a box) and a photo taken (hope it was nice - they don't let you see them!) We then had to complete 10 questions about road signs, and 25 questions about general knowledge. It would appear I got the easier questions, and got 100%. Paul got some nasties, but he can tell you about them another time!
We then waited for the test. I was up first. A lovely man met me by my car (you don't need L plates here or anything like that - they should really to cut the learners some slack) checked my lights and horn, and off we went.
Now, when I took my test in the UK (on 2 occasions may I add!) the instructor said NOTHING - only told me where I was to go. This instructor decides to warn me about oncoming traffic from the left when I was turning right....er....hello....I saw them???? Encouraged me to keep looking left when turning right onto a road....er.......no cars?? Need to see where I am going?? And told me to slow down when approaching my turn back to the DMV.....er......was braking already??? I did a complete circle around the block - oh - and I pulled into a space. Nothing else. WHAT A PIECE OF PISS!!!! Although, granted, I would not be laughing now if I had failed!
So there you have it - I have my license for 3 years, Paul, for one. They dont trust hime really, but dont tell him I told you!
And also today, I used my flag on my mailbox for the very first time! Its very exciting having the postman pick up your mail. You must go buy stamps first though - and I got chatted up by the fat postman! Niiiiice! But it was sweet. My accent seems to turn everyone on!! haha!
Apologies in advance for the lack of logs over the next two weeks, as we have Jacob and my mum here. SO VERY EXCITED to see the man after too, too long. oh, and my mum of course! But you know what I mean!
Speak soon xxxx
We did it! We both passed our driving tests and are now proper legal, like......
We both did some serious swotting last night, I can tell you that stopping distance when travelling at 35mph is 135 feet! And the legally allowed amount of alcohol in your system is 0.08%.....maybe my copper friends can translate that into a comparison for Britain, as the UK do it in ml (i think!), but I ma sure it is higher here.
SO we get to the DMV at 8am, opening time, and there is a queue outside the closed doors,of around 15 people! Welcome to America!
We get in, take a ticket, fill out an application, and 45 minutes I get called. I get served by this sexy man, I mean, sexy voiced man (I duly told him this also....not that it was sexy...that I liked his accent....alot!!) Had a vision test (peer into a box) and a photo taken (hope it was nice - they don't let you see them!) We then had to complete 10 questions about road signs, and 25 questions about general knowledge. It would appear I got the easier questions, and got 100%. Paul got some nasties, but he can tell you about them another time!
We then waited for the test. I was up first. A lovely man met me by my car (you don't need L plates here or anything like that - they should really to cut the learners some slack) checked my lights and horn, and off we went.
Now, when I took my test in the UK (on 2 occasions may I add!) the instructor said NOTHING - only told me where I was to go. This instructor decides to warn me about oncoming traffic from the left when I was turning right....er....hello....I saw them???? Encouraged me to keep looking left when turning right onto a road....er.......no cars?? Need to see where I am going?? And told me to slow down when approaching my turn back to the DMV.....er......was braking already??? I did a complete circle around the block - oh - and I pulled into a space. Nothing else. WHAT A PIECE OF PISS!!!! Although, granted, I would not be laughing now if I had failed!
So there you have it - I have my license for 3 years, Paul, for one. They dont trust hime really, but dont tell him I told you!
And also today, I used my flag on my mailbox for the very first time! Its very exciting having the postman pick up your mail. You must go buy stamps first though - and I got chatted up by the fat postman! Niiiiice! But it was sweet. My accent seems to turn everyone on!! haha!
Apologies in advance for the lack of logs over the next two weeks, as we have Jacob and my mum here. SO VERY EXCITED to see the man after too, too long. oh, and my mum of course! But you know what I mean!
Speak soon xxxx
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
SOF:
Hello y'all!
Wow, so much has happened since Dad first came. What a fabulous time was had by all! Paul has mentioned some of the bits, but he unfortunately had to work for some of it!
We went out on this amazing bike ride (picked up a cheapo bike from Target - thanks Becca for introducing me to that store!) 8 miles down the bike trail is an amazing and picturesque lake called Lake Accotink. You can canoe there, hold parties, all sorts. It was really pretty, and not too hilly to get there! The funniest part was Dad trying to cycle under this tree that was was blocking the path (blew over from a storm probably). He so couldn't, but it was a giggle trying to watch him! I hate watching myself on his camera - I look like a beached whale! So in some respects it was good as I have got my arse into gear to start running again, with the lovely Carrie from up the road (American Football Superbowl?). First time out she took me for a killer 5.5 miler - WOW! How out of condition was I???? It was embarrassing!! But I managed it and pushed myself, so I know I can do it. And if I can run 5.5 miles after a 4 month break.......OK, OK I didn't run the whole way. But I reckon I ran about 4 miles of it!! Haha! She has also taken me to the local running store and I have picked up a superb sports bra (for only $46!). It is an E cup (3 sizes smaller than my normal) but as she pointed out sizes are different here. And hopefully I will only need to wear one bra!! YAY! She has also introduced me to this Sports Glide stuff in lieu of Vaseline........I am so sorry if you don't run - all this stuff must be boring for you!! I will shut up now!
Dad and Paul also made the house look lovely by putting up all of our pictures. It really does look like home now. The sofa is down in the basement and we watched Harry Potter down there the other night. Our DVD that the Munrods kindly gave us doesn't like our UK DVD's, so thank goodness for the PS2! I think we may end up spending our lives down there in summer, as it is so much cooler there. We'll see. The fantastic weather that Paul was talking about has temporarily disappeared. In fact, the weather has been more like British weather this past week....apart from today! Colder, around 13, but predicted at 26 on Friday!!! Someone knows the Boy and Mum are coming!
Nan really enjoyed herself here. She keeps asking Dad when she can come back - bless her! So any takers who do not mind having to escort a 85 year old Italian women with memory problems apply here!
We discovered some real nice places to eat - in fact I only recently discovered Chipotle - YUM! My new 'fast food' choice......not that I had many to contend it!
My work permit has come thru - lovely picture, even if I do say so myself. I give credit to Jacob for that one as he was with me! We spent 2 hours in the social security office to be given a piece of paper to say our SS numbers will be posted in a week! SO typical of the US - they queue for everything!! But it has come, so I can legally look for a job. Which brings me nicely to my Hooters experience. We had just come back from the movies (Hot Tub Time Machine - so funny - def recommend it! Although we never go when I want to watch something....Avatar....Alice....etc....) and I decided to stop in the Hooters. In fact, I had been putting it off cos I didn't want to face the reality....and what a reality it was!! As all of you know, I love my curves, I really do, but this was silly! All the girls must have been around 18-21 (to young to drink, let alone ID us!!) and super dead skinny. Super skinny. And dumb...well the blond 'Lizzie' who served us was. You know, when she cam up to say Hey and introduce herself and take out order, she didn't look at me AT ALL!!! All focus on Paul. It was hilarious. I could tell Paul knew this too, and was probably expecting me to say something. Plain dumb too - typical airhead if I have to say so! The uniform is kinda cool - tight tank top (thick strap vest top), TINY orange hot pants - arse hanging out, tan tights, white socks and pumps. Thunder thighs need not apply!!
I put this on my Facebook yesterday, and thanks so much to the guys who tell me I rock and I look amazing regardless. Thank you. I love my friends. BUT. Having a sister who works in this 'ogle at women' industry, I know its not the men I need to be worried about - it's the cruel girls who only care about what they look like, and have no room in their heads for something different. We'll see. I may go find another Hooters. They may be different there. But the other thing I wasn't so sure of was the way one of there guys was touching up one of the waitresses, and she didn't look comfortable (maybe he was her bf?). I dunno, but if my boss did that, I'd fucking punch his lights out! Hmmmmmmm. I think I need to mull that one over.
So back to the 2 weeks with Dad. We had fun, going so a walk on the Old Dominion rail track....not, it wasn't a real rail track....converted to a trail. Taking Christine (our red convertible) out for a spin with the hood down. So cool!! So cool in fact that Dad had a fleece on! Catching the Washington Monument and the reflecting pool at night - beautiful, tempered by the fact I thought our car was gonna be towed at any second......
ahhhh, I have both cats next to me. They love me more than outside! Bless. The other day I saw Chaos trying to catch a squirrel. The squirrels love to tease her. It is so funny. They will even jump off the tree to run to another to tease her. Too fast. So I was watching these antics and laughing, when Chaos decides to also climb up the same tree the squirrel had. I burst out in laughter when I realised they were both level with each other, opposite sides of the trunk, hugging the tree, but unable to see each other due to the trunk. Hilarious. Same I didn't have my camera! She has managed to get a quarter of the was up a trunk so far - around up to your bedroom window......that ladder is gonna come in handy soon!
I am getting more pangs of homesickness now. Especially with the family visiting, and not having anything to do in the days, as such. Although I have a dentist appointment today....for a probable root canal. I'm gonna ask her if she can just redo the filling. I do not want a root canal. I think I'd rather have a false implant! Eek!
Our car also was poorly and had to go to the garage. It seems as though the guy who did all the work on her before, in Dec, didn't do a very good job and missed loads of things. Which we then had to pay for. But not before I declared how pants it was and got a 25% discount! And a free hire car for 3 days. But still, money that we didn't want to spend. Purse strings are tighter at the moment, as we have been living on one wage since December. And spending way too much money / savings. At least we will get the opportunity for us to save it back up soon.
So I will leave you on this final note - the Cherry Blossoms. A big thing here. Given to DC by the Japanese 98 years ago, and they hold an annual festival. We went to some of the opening festivities on Saturday and it was great. The blossoms aren't due to fully bloom until next week (just in time for our visitors) but already they are spectacular. We have a magnolia outside our house, and it is starting to bloom too.
Spring is gonna be amazing!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hello y'all!
Wow, so much has happened since Dad first came. What a fabulous time was had by all! Paul has mentioned some of the bits, but he unfortunately had to work for some of it!
We went out on this amazing bike ride (picked up a cheapo bike from Target - thanks Becca for introducing me to that store!) 8 miles down the bike trail is an amazing and picturesque lake called Lake Accotink. You can canoe there, hold parties, all sorts. It was really pretty, and not too hilly to get there! The funniest part was Dad trying to cycle under this tree that was was blocking the path (blew over from a storm probably). He so couldn't, but it was a giggle trying to watch him! I hate watching myself on his camera - I look like a beached whale! So in some respects it was good as I have got my arse into gear to start running again, with the lovely Carrie from up the road (American Football Superbowl?). First time out she took me for a killer 5.5 miler - WOW! How out of condition was I???? It was embarrassing!! But I managed it and pushed myself, so I know I can do it. And if I can run 5.5 miles after a 4 month break.......OK, OK I didn't run the whole way. But I reckon I ran about 4 miles of it!! Haha! She has also taken me to the local running store and I have picked up a superb sports bra (for only $46!). It is an E cup (3 sizes smaller than my normal) but as she pointed out sizes are different here. And hopefully I will only need to wear one bra!! YAY! She has also introduced me to this Sports Glide stuff in lieu of Vaseline........I am so sorry if you don't run - all this stuff must be boring for you!! I will shut up now!
Dad and Paul also made the house look lovely by putting up all of our pictures. It really does look like home now. The sofa is down in the basement and we watched Harry Potter down there the other night. Our DVD that the Munrods kindly gave us doesn't like our UK DVD's, so thank goodness for the PS2! I think we may end up spending our lives down there in summer, as it is so much cooler there. We'll see. The fantastic weather that Paul was talking about has temporarily disappeared. In fact, the weather has been more like British weather this past week....apart from today! Colder, around 13, but predicted at 26 on Friday!!! Someone knows the Boy and Mum are coming!
Nan really enjoyed herself here. She keeps asking Dad when she can come back - bless her! So any takers who do not mind having to escort a 85 year old Italian women with memory problems apply here!
We discovered some real nice places to eat - in fact I only recently discovered Chipotle - YUM! My new 'fast food' choice......not that I had many to contend it!
My work permit has come thru - lovely picture, even if I do say so myself. I give credit to Jacob for that one as he was with me! We spent 2 hours in the social security office to be given a piece of paper to say our SS numbers will be posted in a week! SO typical of the US - they queue for everything!! But it has come, so I can legally look for a job. Which brings me nicely to my Hooters experience. We had just come back from the movies (Hot Tub Time Machine - so funny - def recommend it! Although we never go when I want to watch something....Avatar....Alice....etc....) and I decided to stop in the Hooters. In fact, I had been putting it off cos I didn't want to face the reality....and what a reality it was!! As all of you know, I love my curves, I really do, but this was silly! All the girls must have been around 18-21 (to young to drink, let alone ID us!!) and super dead skinny. Super skinny. And dumb...well the blond 'Lizzie' who served us was. You know, when she cam up to say Hey and introduce herself and take out order, she didn't look at me AT ALL!!! All focus on Paul. It was hilarious. I could tell Paul knew this too, and was probably expecting me to say something. Plain dumb too - typical airhead if I have to say so! The uniform is kinda cool - tight tank top (thick strap vest top), TINY orange hot pants - arse hanging out, tan tights, white socks and pumps. Thunder thighs need not apply!!
I put this on my Facebook yesterday, and thanks so much to the guys who tell me I rock and I look amazing regardless. Thank you. I love my friends. BUT. Having a sister who works in this 'ogle at women' industry, I know its not the men I need to be worried about - it's the cruel girls who only care about what they look like, and have no room in their heads for something different. We'll see. I may go find another Hooters. They may be different there. But the other thing I wasn't so sure of was the way one of there guys was touching up one of the waitresses, and she didn't look comfortable (maybe he was her bf?). I dunno, but if my boss did that, I'd fucking punch his lights out! Hmmmmmmm. I think I need to mull that one over.
So back to the 2 weeks with Dad. We had fun, going so a walk on the Old Dominion rail track....not, it wasn't a real rail track....converted to a trail. Taking Christine (our red convertible) out for a spin with the hood down. So cool!! So cool in fact that Dad had a fleece on! Catching the Washington Monument and the reflecting pool at night - beautiful, tempered by the fact I thought our car was gonna be towed at any second......
ahhhh, I have both cats next to me. They love me more than outside! Bless. The other day I saw Chaos trying to catch a squirrel. The squirrels love to tease her. It is so funny. They will even jump off the tree to run to another to tease her. Too fast. So I was watching these antics and laughing, when Chaos decides to also climb up the same tree the squirrel had. I burst out in laughter when I realised they were both level with each other, opposite sides of the trunk, hugging the tree, but unable to see each other due to the trunk. Hilarious. Same I didn't have my camera! She has managed to get a quarter of the was up a trunk so far - around up to your bedroom window......that ladder is gonna come in handy soon!
I am getting more pangs of homesickness now. Especially with the family visiting, and not having anything to do in the days, as such. Although I have a dentist appointment today....for a probable root canal. I'm gonna ask her if she can just redo the filling. I do not want a root canal. I think I'd rather have a false implant! Eek!
Our car also was poorly and had to go to the garage. It seems as though the guy who did all the work on her before, in Dec, didn't do a very good job and missed loads of things. Which we then had to pay for. But not before I declared how pants it was and got a 25% discount! And a free hire car for 3 days. But still, money that we didn't want to spend. Purse strings are tighter at the moment, as we have been living on one wage since December. And spending way too much money / savings. At least we will get the opportunity for us to save it back up soon.
So I will leave you on this final note - the Cherry Blossoms. A big thing here. Given to DC by the Japanese 98 years ago, and they hold an annual festival. We went to some of the opening festivities on Saturday and it was great. The blossoms aren't due to fully bloom until next week (just in time for our visitors) but already they are spectacular. We have a magnolia outside our house, and it is starting to bloom too.
Spring is gonna be amazing!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Monday, March 22, 2010
Empty house
PAUL: Well, formal 1st UK visitors have returned to the UK and left a void which will only be filled when the next bunch join us in less than 10 days. Gonna miss having to only cook for two for a while I guess!
John and Nan Giselda joined us for two fun packed and significantly boozy two weeks and they seemed to have a pretty darn fine time. We did a bit of sightseeing but not too much and lots of drinking (approximately 1 litre of Gin lasted two days - Crikey). Been to the zoo and will return with Jacob in a couple of weeks. The place has Pandas and some extremely cool looking big cats. reckon they will get on just fine when I chuck one of the cats in the pen with them (I should probably disguise them with a sack or something, what do you think).
Got something special planned for Jacob when he comes but keeping it secret until he gets here so shhhh!. Apart from that we will continue to weed out the boring sights and identify the good stuff for each subsequent visit of family and friends. The Lincoln Memorial and reflecting pool remains one of the most breathtaking sights in the area so that stays on the schedule. Alexandria is pretty so keep that one in. The air and space museum were so good we joined the club...literally. We are Smithsonian members which gives us a few benefits which again we shall investigate over the next few months.
As one group of family disappears I returned to work and have seen the schedule for return to the UK over the next year and it is fewer than I hoped for. Still if I plan them right will still see the right people enough over the few trips back.
Missing the folks back home now that we have tasted the camaraderie of having them over here. I'm sure the feeling is mutual (nudge nudge). Getting really excited by the thought of having J here though so something to look forawrd too.
Getting a real ix of weather now. We've had some blinding hot days over 23 degrees (IN MARCH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD) and now we have some thunderstorms with torrential rain...cool.
Cats are getting used to the outside world. They go out for about 30 minutes and truly disappear in to the undergrowth out back. Then they come running back with fur standing on end like they have had a meeting with a 5 foot tall squirrel. Chaos still reckons she can take it though. Shes tough as old boots that one.
Loving every minute and miss you all
talk soon me peeps
John and Nan Giselda joined us for two fun packed and significantly boozy two weeks and they seemed to have a pretty darn fine time. We did a bit of sightseeing but not too much and lots of drinking (approximately 1 litre of Gin lasted two days - Crikey). Been to the zoo and will return with Jacob in a couple of weeks. The place has Pandas and some extremely cool looking big cats. reckon they will get on just fine when I chuck one of the cats in the pen with them (I should probably disguise them with a sack or something, what do you think).
Got something special planned for Jacob when he comes but keeping it secret until he gets here so shhhh!. Apart from that we will continue to weed out the boring sights and identify the good stuff for each subsequent visit of family and friends. The Lincoln Memorial and reflecting pool remains one of the most breathtaking sights in the area so that stays on the schedule. Alexandria is pretty so keep that one in. The air and space museum were so good we joined the club...literally. We are Smithsonian members which gives us a few benefits which again we shall investigate over the next few months.
As one group of family disappears I returned to work and have seen the schedule for return to the UK over the next year and it is fewer than I hoped for. Still if I plan them right will still see the right people enough over the few trips back.
Missing the folks back home now that we have tasted the camaraderie of having them over here. I'm sure the feeling is mutual (nudge nudge). Getting really excited by the thought of having J here though so something to look forawrd too.
Getting a real ix of weather now. We've had some blinding hot days over 23 degrees (IN MARCH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD) and now we have some thunderstorms with torrential rain...cool.
Cats are getting used to the outside world. They go out for about 30 minutes and truly disappear in to the undergrowth out back. Then they come running back with fur standing on end like they have had a meeting with a 5 foot tall squirrel. Chaos still reckons she can take it though. Shes tough as old boots that one.
Loving every minute and miss you all
talk soon me peeps
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Apologies.....
Sof:
This Alien Life is going from one extreme to the next - first having nothing to do then having a heinous amount of things going on in our lives!!
The first fab thing is that I have my Dad and Nan with me right now (and a G&T!) - one of the main reasons no blogs have been forthcoming - they came on the 4th march.
So, on the 4th March, I decide to take a visit to the British Embassy, to collect an important letter Paul needs to get his Virginia Driving License (I can't get mine until I get my Social Security number) and to pick up some cheap booze. I also needed to drop back the 'get you in pack' of plates/cups etc.
Getting to the Embassy posed no problems, thanks to the GPS. I discovered how amazingly cheap spirits are - I paid $48 for these 5, 1-liter bottles - Tanqueray gin, Bombay Sapphire Gin, VSOP Brandy, Absolut vodka and Captain Morgans Spiced Rum. PARTEEEEEEEE!!
However, I got very lost trying to return back home to go to the airport to pick up the family. I ended up going North West, instead of South West, the GPS breaking down and me frantically worrying that I wouldn't be able to get to the airport in time!! Argh - DC is a nasty place to loose your bearings! I made it back, finally, and then ended up waiting 2 hours for them to come through security!! I even got there 30 mins after they landed so I wouldn't have to wait too long. Bloody security. So I had everyone with me, and we proceed to go home.........and here is where it got interesting - the cops pulled me over! I originally thought it was cos I tried to cut them up (not realising they were cops) but realised that the car was going too fast so didn't try it. They put the blues and twos on and pulled me over. I was crapping myself - what had i done? Will they shoot me?? I was totally irrational in my head, whilst maintaining a serene exterior for the father. After 10 minutes of waiting - and yes they keep you waiting an age here - she finally came up. It transpired that my plates were out of date and the car needed an emissions test (which is also reflected on the plates). Phew!! I hastily explained that the car couldn't be registered yet due to the letter only being received into my hands earlier that day and we had only just moved here and i don't have an US license and I'm really sorry and we will sort it ASAP, please don't shoot me officer - yes, my friends, all in one breath! Probably more was said. So she was cool, and let us carry on.
Of course, Paul feels that I have lost the 'bet'. I don't think this is fair, as it was because the plates were out of date and the emissions stickers on the plates were clearly out of date. I think that the bet should be lost when one of us gets stopped for a real reason - like Becca!! What do you people think? Please let us know!!
So due to the needing to register ASAP, we discovered the joys of the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) on a Saturday. Never again! Our predecessor had signed the Title in the wrong place and wanted us to get home to sign this piece of paper saying he has signed the Title in the wrong place (??), to which we replied he is in the UK with no way of contacting him. They were cagey about the I.D we had cos our phone company had spelled our name Brycack. This is the only bill we pay which is in our name. Luckily, as we obviously looked so flippin desperate, she allowed our indiscretions to pass and issued us new plates. This whole process took around 2 and a half hours. Never going back on a Saturday!
So in other news, we have purchased a full sized pool/billiard table, with table tennis top. This was fun putting together.......or was watching the men bring it in more Benny Hill style fun.....?? Our basement is officially our games room now, with the pool table in one corner and the Wii/PS2 in the other. We have the running machine in the other corner, and intend to bring down one of the spare sofas, and get a dart board cabinet for our dart board. Remember this room has functioning kitchen and toilet/bathroom too, so I think the optic measure may also find it's way down here too!
I have soooooo much more to write, but I don't want to fill up this blog - it would take you too long to read in one sitting. SO I will finish up by saying my first trip to the dentist wasn't as scary as it seems. My dentist thinks I have beautiful eyes and great teeth - including a great dentist in the UK - thanks Ronald! Does everyone suck up to you over here....oh yes, wait, I remember. Everything is a business over here, including teeth! I like to think she meant it about my eyes......
So, my beer belly and I will say goodnight. Yes, my alcohol; intake has increased dramatically.......
Sweet dreams xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
This Alien Life is going from one extreme to the next - first having nothing to do then having a heinous amount of things going on in our lives!!
The first fab thing is that I have my Dad and Nan with me right now (and a G&T!) - one of the main reasons no blogs have been forthcoming - they came on the 4th march.
So, on the 4th March, I decide to take a visit to the British Embassy, to collect an important letter Paul needs to get his Virginia Driving License (I can't get mine until I get my Social Security number) and to pick up some cheap booze. I also needed to drop back the 'get you in pack' of plates/cups etc.
Getting to the Embassy posed no problems, thanks to the GPS. I discovered how amazingly cheap spirits are - I paid $48 for these 5, 1-liter bottles - Tanqueray gin, Bombay Sapphire Gin, VSOP Brandy, Absolut vodka and Captain Morgans Spiced Rum. PARTEEEEEEEE!!
However, I got very lost trying to return back home to go to the airport to pick up the family. I ended up going North West, instead of South West, the GPS breaking down and me frantically worrying that I wouldn't be able to get to the airport in time!! Argh - DC is a nasty place to loose your bearings! I made it back, finally, and then ended up waiting 2 hours for them to come through security!! I even got there 30 mins after they landed so I wouldn't have to wait too long. Bloody security. So I had everyone with me, and we proceed to go home.........and here is where it got interesting - the cops pulled me over! I originally thought it was cos I tried to cut them up (not realising they were cops) but realised that the car was going too fast so didn't try it. They put the blues and twos on and pulled me over. I was crapping myself - what had i done? Will they shoot me?? I was totally irrational in my head, whilst maintaining a serene exterior for the father. After 10 minutes of waiting - and yes they keep you waiting an age here - she finally came up. It transpired that my plates were out of date and the car needed an emissions test (which is also reflected on the plates). Phew!! I hastily explained that the car couldn't be registered yet due to the letter only being received into my hands earlier that day and we had only just moved here and i don't have an US license and I'm really sorry and we will sort it ASAP, please don't shoot me officer - yes, my friends, all in one breath! Probably more was said. So she was cool, and let us carry on.
Of course, Paul feels that I have lost the 'bet'. I don't think this is fair, as it was because the plates were out of date and the emissions stickers on the plates were clearly out of date. I think that the bet should be lost when one of us gets stopped for a real reason - like Becca!! What do you people think? Please let us know!!
So due to the needing to register ASAP, we discovered the joys of the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) on a Saturday. Never again! Our predecessor had signed the Title in the wrong place and wanted us to get home to sign this piece of paper saying he has signed the Title in the wrong place (??), to which we replied he is in the UK with no way of contacting him. They were cagey about the I.D we had cos our phone company had spelled our name Brycack. This is the only bill we pay which is in our name. Luckily, as we obviously looked so flippin desperate, she allowed our indiscretions to pass and issued us new plates. This whole process took around 2 and a half hours. Never going back on a Saturday!
So in other news, we have purchased a full sized pool/billiard table, with table tennis top. This was fun putting together.......or was watching the men bring it in more Benny Hill style fun.....?? Our basement is officially our games room now, with the pool table in one corner and the Wii/PS2 in the other. We have the running machine in the other corner, and intend to bring down one of the spare sofas, and get a dart board cabinet for our dart board. Remember this room has functioning kitchen and toilet/bathroom too, so I think the optic measure may also find it's way down here too!
I have soooooo much more to write, but I don't want to fill up this blog - it would take you too long to read in one sitting. SO I will finish up by saying my first trip to the dentist wasn't as scary as it seems. My dentist thinks I have beautiful eyes and great teeth - including a great dentist in the UK - thanks Ronald! Does everyone suck up to you over here....oh yes, wait, I remember. Everything is a business over here, including teeth! I like to think she meant it about my eyes......
So, my beer belly and I will say goodnight. Yes, my alcohol; intake has increased dramatically.......
Sweet dreams xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
New Wave
PAUL:
Hi people, been totally hectic for the last week really. Have just returned from my first on-the-road excursion in to deepest Virginia (Via most of the east side of Maryland). I can officially confirm there are some absolutely stunning views down the stretch of countryside and coast I traversed today. A couple of bridges that put the Severn bridge to shame for length and glory and quite a lot closer to the river Potomac too.
Had to pick up a work VIP and take them to a trip to one of our US colleagues. Turned out to be a pretty decent trip all round. Good meeting and no additional snow (ha ha). We even both managed to get along despite the wonderful Sat Nav telling me to turn right when I was in the middle of a motorway with no exits for about two miles??? Once I missed the turning it told me to do a U-turn for a while too, brilliant.
Last weekend we went out to do a hunt for some personal stuff to populate the house with. Number one on Sofs list was a pool table. One of the neighbours pointed us in the direction of a place that was having an end of season sale (on pool tables....what season is that then?). We safely negotiated ourselves there but discovered that a new pool table was gonna set us back $2000 at least. As a result it might have to wait a bit until the finances have settled in to a more strict regime.
We are spending a bit more than we thought we would but it is getting closer to a rhythm where we don't have to buy any of the start up stuff any more (apart from bloody spices for cooking...God will it never end getting rosemary or Oregano all at ridiculous prices). I'm going to have to prepare food for an Italian this week and I cannot flavour a bolognese properly...I'm gonna be shot, argh!
And therein lies the next big piece of news. We are about to receive our first UK visitors, hurrah. Sofs dad arrives on Thursday along with Nan Giselda. We have singularly failed to visit any of the tourist attractions in the area so we haven't vetted out what is crap and what isn't. John will be pleased when we take him to the exhibits of the first cross-stitching done in the state of Virginia (apparently Delaware beat them in antiquity by around seven months and therefore claim to be the oldest, new continent, cross stitchers...but I digress). We have looked up a few candidates but will keep them secret lest we be told off for taking you all to the same place when any of you come to visit.
Still I must return to the task du jour, unpacking our unaccompanied baggage. 90 odd boxes stuff with Sof&Paul-abilia. The task will not end until a home has been found for every book (for those of you in the know that should be about Christmas) and a hook inserted for all the cracking photos of our family and chums.
back soon I promise. XXX
Hi people, been totally hectic for the last week really. Have just returned from my first on-the-road excursion in to deepest Virginia (Via most of the east side of Maryland). I can officially confirm there are some absolutely stunning views down the stretch of countryside and coast I traversed today. A couple of bridges that put the Severn bridge to shame for length and glory and quite a lot closer to the river Potomac too.
Had to pick up a work VIP and take them to a trip to one of our US colleagues. Turned out to be a pretty decent trip all round. Good meeting and no additional snow (ha ha). We even both managed to get along despite the wonderful Sat Nav telling me to turn right when I was in the middle of a motorway with no exits for about two miles??? Once I missed the turning it told me to do a U-turn for a while too, brilliant.
Last weekend we went out to do a hunt for some personal stuff to populate the house with. Number one on Sofs list was a pool table. One of the neighbours pointed us in the direction of a place that was having an end of season sale (on pool tables....what season is that then?). We safely negotiated ourselves there but discovered that a new pool table was gonna set us back $2000 at least. As a result it might have to wait a bit until the finances have settled in to a more strict regime.
We are spending a bit more than we thought we would but it is getting closer to a rhythm where we don't have to buy any of the start up stuff any more (apart from bloody spices for cooking...God will it never end getting rosemary or Oregano all at ridiculous prices). I'm going to have to prepare food for an Italian this week and I cannot flavour a bolognese properly...I'm gonna be shot, argh!
And therein lies the next big piece of news. We are about to receive our first UK visitors, hurrah. Sofs dad arrives on Thursday along with Nan Giselda. We have singularly failed to visit any of the tourist attractions in the area so we haven't vetted out what is crap and what isn't. John will be pleased when we take him to the exhibits of the first cross-stitching done in the state of Virginia (apparently Delaware beat them in antiquity by around seven months and therefore claim to be the oldest, new continent, cross stitchers...but I digress). We have looked up a few candidates but will keep them secret lest we be told off for taking you all to the same place when any of you come to visit.
Still I must return to the task du jour, unpacking our unaccompanied baggage. 90 odd boxes stuff with Sof&Paul-abilia. The task will not end until a home has been found for every book (for those of you in the know that should be about Christmas) and a hook inserted for all the cracking photos of our family and chums.
back soon I promise. XXX
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Sorry people
Sof:
Sorry that we haven't been keeping up with the blog so much. I have been busy in Canada, and Paul bored at home, so there has been reasons......(!)
I have to confess that my alcohol tolerance is certainly getting much higher since I moved over here - and here i was worrying that the food would be the issue I got a bigger gut!! haha! Beer gut more like it! I experienced a Canadian night out with Becca and her mates on Sat eve -what fun! We had a fun 'sexy' photo shoot - well, I attempted! I found it funnier to climb up the skirting - profile picture - but check out my calves!!! Woah! Running is kinda good me thinks. I drank SO VERY MUCH. Oh My God. Seriously. I could not believe it. Hangover from HELL the next day. And Becca thought it would be fun to go ice skating the next day......ergh!! The clubs in Canada aren't so very different from the UK - especially the one I went to - me in a dance club?? HAHA!!! The music was fucking terrible - only Bon Jovi was the concession to alternative! My 'big-box-little-box' drew blank looks, BUT I got LOTS of attention....and NO it wasn't cause of my huge tits, it was my accent!! Wow - did it draw the men! They accused me often of faking it - how funny is that? - and they just lapped it up! But I was a good girl - I didn't give my home DC number to any of them, although it was tempting! Can you imagine Paul getting a call the next day? HAHA!
The ice skating that we went to was in a local national trust type park, and they have created a open air ice skating rink on a pond. All the family come on over and skate - it seems a rite of passage to ice skate in Canada - even 2 year olds are more competent than most Brits - amazing!
I have also been introduced to lots of Becca's friends, which is really nice as I am living a Canadian life. Montreal wine is real nice.......
We went for a manicure yesterday and lunch, which was my birthday present to Becca for her birthday last year - I know, 10 months too late, but better late than never! We are taking Georgia for a pedicure this afternoon - me and B included, for G's birthday in Jan - only 1 month late this time!! I can't believe how much of a girl I am turning into. Don't worry, dear readers, the farting and swearing will never stop.....and you'll never persuade me to wear heels regularly, nor like pink. Or have children. Nah......I like using Daisy as presentation of the child I would have! She is amazingly cute, and as B and I are so alike, in parenting and just personality, I reckon we would have similar kids.....nothing to do with the father, nothing at all!
So, I am leaving here tomorrow - to drive to Buffalo (1 hour) fly to Baltimore via Philadelphia (4 cheesy hours) then a train to DC (1 hour) then Metro to Dunn Loring (30 min) the hopefully spot Paul waiting for me. We have no mobiles, so the boy will have to keep an eye on transport links and hope for the best. I reckon I'll be there 4-430. We'll see. Just like old times!
Will endeavour to keep you up to date soon - our stuff gets here the day after tomorrow, so will be busy!
Love you all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sorry that we haven't been keeping up with the blog so much. I have been busy in Canada, and Paul bored at home, so there has been reasons......(!)
I have to confess that my alcohol tolerance is certainly getting much higher since I moved over here - and here i was worrying that the food would be the issue I got a bigger gut!! haha! Beer gut more like it! I experienced a Canadian night out with Becca and her mates on Sat eve -what fun! We had a fun 'sexy' photo shoot - well, I attempted! I found it funnier to climb up the skirting - profile picture - but check out my calves!!! Woah! Running is kinda good me thinks. I drank SO VERY MUCH. Oh My God. Seriously. I could not believe it. Hangover from HELL the next day. And Becca thought it would be fun to go ice skating the next day......ergh!! The clubs in Canada aren't so very different from the UK - especially the one I went to - me in a dance club?? HAHA!!! The music was fucking terrible - only Bon Jovi was the concession to alternative! My 'big-box-little-box' drew blank looks, BUT I got LOTS of attention....and NO it wasn't cause of my huge tits, it was my accent!! Wow - did it draw the men! They accused me often of faking it - how funny is that? - and they just lapped it up! But I was a good girl - I didn't give my home DC number to any of them, although it was tempting! Can you imagine Paul getting a call the next day? HAHA!
The ice skating that we went to was in a local national trust type park, and they have created a open air ice skating rink on a pond. All the family come on over and skate - it seems a rite of passage to ice skate in Canada - even 2 year olds are more competent than most Brits - amazing!
I have also been introduced to lots of Becca's friends, which is really nice as I am living a Canadian life. Montreal wine is real nice.......
We went for a manicure yesterday and lunch, which was my birthday present to Becca for her birthday last year - I know, 10 months too late, but better late than never! We are taking Georgia for a pedicure this afternoon - me and B included, for G's birthday in Jan - only 1 month late this time!! I can't believe how much of a girl I am turning into. Don't worry, dear readers, the farting and swearing will never stop.....and you'll never persuade me to wear heels regularly, nor like pink. Or have children. Nah......I like using Daisy as presentation of the child I would have! She is amazingly cute, and as B and I are so alike, in parenting and just personality, I reckon we would have similar kids.....nothing to do with the father, nothing at all!
So, I am leaving here tomorrow - to drive to Buffalo (1 hour) fly to Baltimore via Philadelphia (4 cheesy hours) then a train to DC (1 hour) then Metro to Dunn Loring (30 min) the hopefully spot Paul waiting for me. We have no mobiles, so the boy will have to keep an eye on transport links and hope for the best. I reckon I'll be there 4-430. We'll see. Just like old times!
Will endeavour to keep you up to date soon - our stuff gets here the day after tomorrow, so will be busy!
Love you all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Friday, February 19, 2010
Blame Canada!
Sof: Bonjour - salut!
I'm writing from cold, cold, but no snow, Canada! I travelled back with the Munro's in their Dodge mini van. You should be proud of me - in the back with 1 small bundle of pure energy, and 1 larger bundle of pure energy!! I now know all the words and songs to a Dora Episode (the one with Daisy's party - barn, rain forest, Daisy's party!) and how long it takes to do any kinda road trip with small children - how many times do they need to pee pee and poo poo?? BLIMEY!!!
BUT it was great fun - I got to see some of the classic American rest stops. We have discovered that Sheetz have the best restrooms (over here if you say toilet, they think you need to poo and consider that rude. They don't understand 'loo' so you just have to say bathroom or restroom). Some of them were 'I've married my father and had children with my mother' type affairs - ergh. Real strange. Becca and I can be right bitches on occasion! We had one MAJOR tantrum, to which the adults all ignored and sang to 'Living La Vida Loca' instead. Good times!
So the trip took all day. I got treated to a Swiss Chalet......weird chicken sauce (I swear Dave'll eat anything) and with all the chicken tenders came plum sauce - seriously?? IT WAS SUGAR FLAVOURED PLUM SAUCE COLOURED DIP!!
SO to a comfy bed for me!
I have to say, Paul didn't really explain why they cancelled President's Parade... it was cause of all the huge fuck off icicles hanging from the roofs that could skewer an arm off when they fell. And boy, did they fall. They had shut some sidewalks off so they could manually knock them down. Amazing. It could actually kill you. We did get a parade though - Becca and Dave paraded round the Visitors centre for Daisy....we found it funny, but Daisy didn't.
Old Town Alexandria is so gorgeous. I think I may have to come back in warmer weather to check out all the boutiques - with Becca of course!
So back to the land of Maple Syrup. My birthday was a fun affair. Waking up at 10 and having a happy birthday sung by Daisy and Becca with a fab Hello Kitty card and a chocolate red rose. We stayed in PJ's til 12ish, then showered and fetched Georgia from School. Chatted to various family members - thanks all! Got treated to a Tim Hortons chili in a tub - Tim Horton is a HUGE Canadian coffee chain (like Starbucks). All the Canadians drink in these chains - much to the disgust of Starbucks and the delight of me! Tim Horton was a huge ice hockey player, who died in a car crash at 40. These Canadians are extremely patriotic so only use this chain. There are some donut ones in America too (he started with a donut shop!).
We then went shopping for a dress for me to wear on our night out clubbing on Saturday. I think it was then that B realised just how large my boobies are - haha! Squeezing into some of these affairs brought tears of laughter to her and tears of pain to me! I don't think a dress fits when you can't actually breathe! We finally found 2, so bought both to choose from on Sat!
The evening was a delight - Jack Astors bar/grill whatever. Dave pointed out the lady bar servers were wearing hot pants....wonder why he noticed first?! The Munro's had secretly bought me an ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins (yum!) and it was brought out with sparklers on top. The 2 servers then proceeded to make me stand up, assume the pose of 'I'm a little teapot' and dance whilst they sang the tune! Hilarious! No protests of 'I'm a quiet, docile Brit' would stop them. After playing 'pass the sweet' we retired home to wine and sofa.
As much as I really miss Paul (and sweetheart - I really do) I am having a ball. The kids are such fun (NO - I AM NOT INSPIRED TO HAVE MY OWN), and I love being a fake auntie. Wonder what being a real auntie would feel like? I have one of my closest friends with me, and my blues are gone for good! I am CRAP at Scrabble, and Trivial pursuit (I blame the fact the the pursuit is an OLD one and I am much to young to know the answers!). I am officially a Pirate (I think it's the accent) and my parrot is called Polly...Pauly....whichever shivers yer timbers!
xxx
I'm writing from cold, cold, but no snow, Canada! I travelled back with the Munro's in their Dodge mini van. You should be proud of me - in the back with 1 small bundle of pure energy, and 1 larger bundle of pure energy!! I now know all the words and songs to a Dora Episode (the one with Daisy's party - barn, rain forest, Daisy's party!) and how long it takes to do any kinda road trip with small children - how many times do they need to pee pee and poo poo?? BLIMEY!!!
BUT it was great fun - I got to see some of the classic American rest stops. We have discovered that Sheetz have the best restrooms (over here if you say toilet, they think you need to poo and consider that rude. They don't understand 'loo' so you just have to say bathroom or restroom). Some of them were 'I've married my father and had children with my mother' type affairs - ergh. Real strange. Becca and I can be right bitches on occasion! We had one MAJOR tantrum, to which the adults all ignored and sang to 'Living La Vida Loca' instead. Good times!
So the trip took all day. I got treated to a Swiss Chalet......weird chicken sauce (I swear Dave'll eat anything) and with all the chicken tenders came plum sauce - seriously?? IT WAS SUGAR FLAVOURED PLUM SAUCE COLOURED DIP!!
SO to a comfy bed for me!
I have to say, Paul didn't really explain why they cancelled President's Parade... it was cause of all the huge fuck off icicles hanging from the roofs that could skewer an arm off when they fell. And boy, did they fall. They had shut some sidewalks off so they could manually knock them down. Amazing. It could actually kill you. We did get a parade though - Becca and Dave paraded round the Visitors centre for Daisy....we found it funny, but Daisy didn't.
Old Town Alexandria is so gorgeous. I think I may have to come back in warmer weather to check out all the boutiques - with Becca of course!
So back to the land of Maple Syrup. My birthday was a fun affair. Waking up at 10 and having a happy birthday sung by Daisy and Becca with a fab Hello Kitty card and a chocolate red rose. We stayed in PJ's til 12ish, then showered and fetched Georgia from School. Chatted to various family members - thanks all! Got treated to a Tim Hortons chili in a tub - Tim Horton is a HUGE Canadian coffee chain (like Starbucks). All the Canadians drink in these chains - much to the disgust of Starbucks and the delight of me! Tim Horton was a huge ice hockey player, who died in a car crash at 40. These Canadians are extremely patriotic so only use this chain. There are some donut ones in America too (he started with a donut shop!).
We then went shopping for a dress for me to wear on our night out clubbing on Saturday. I think it was then that B realised just how large my boobies are - haha! Squeezing into some of these affairs brought tears of laughter to her and tears of pain to me! I don't think a dress fits when you can't actually breathe! We finally found 2, so bought both to choose from on Sat!
The evening was a delight - Jack Astors bar/grill whatever. Dave pointed out the lady bar servers were wearing hot pants....wonder why he noticed first?! The Munro's had secretly bought me an ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins (yum!) and it was brought out with sparklers on top. The 2 servers then proceeded to make me stand up, assume the pose of 'I'm a little teapot' and dance whilst they sang the tune! Hilarious! No protests of 'I'm a quiet, docile Brit' would stop them. After playing 'pass the sweet' we retired home to wine and sofa.
As much as I really miss Paul (and sweetheart - I really do) I am having a ball. The kids are such fun (NO - I AM NOT INSPIRED TO HAVE MY OWN), and I love being a fake auntie. Wonder what being a real auntie would feel like? I have one of my closest friends with me, and my blues are gone for good! I am CRAP at Scrabble, and Trivial pursuit (I blame the fact the the pursuit is an OLD one and I am much to young to know the answers!). I am officially a Pirate (I think it's the accent) and my parrot is called Polly...Pauly....whichever shivers yer timbers!
xxx
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
President Solo!
PAUL:
Well its been action packed..kinda.
Sof and I had one night alone following my return from Florida before our first house guests arrived. That's right Chez Brycock is open for business. Saturday morning brought the delights of the Munro clan fresh from a 12 hour drive from Toronto. They drove through the night sharing the load and were therefore able to maintain some sort of awakitude during the whole of Saturday.
We spent the day catching up..me on my sleep from my week away and Sof chatting incessantly with the Munrods. We had always planned to go out for a meal that night and the Munros had spent some time in the area and knew of a microbrewery nearby. We loaded up and headed over to experience the wonders of the Dogfish head inn in West Falls Church.
The place served up some pretty potent fare. Beers ranging from a modest 4% up to a mind splattering 18%+ (so high they served it in a brandy glass). Some were good and some pretty minging to be honest. The good ones were purchased in bulk by the Munros at the end of the night and the food was great too! A selection of burgers sandwiches and other gorgeous offerings filled us up (inevitably).
Sunday we chose to nurse our swollen heads at home but then stepped up to go out shopping at our local Wegmans (a high class Sainsburys) and then head off to Georgetown in the centre of DC. Georgetown is the location of the only known Hello Kitty supplier in the area so Sof was homing in from the moment we parked the car. Completely by surprise we found ourselves enjoying coffee and Hot chocolate 10 yards from the shop. Sof heroically caved in to peer pressure and visited the shop only to not buy anything??? What a hero. The trip home exposed the wonders of the Sat Nav. It tells you to take a left and immediately next "at the next opportunity do a U-turn" bloody marvellous. The trip home sparked our hunger safe in the knowledge Ribs and steak awaited us at home. Dave and I popped out to a more local microbrewery to pick up a couple of Growlers (Vast roman vases filled with 2 litres of locally brewed beer which you can refill for about 1/4 of the price of 1/5 litre at the same pub (sweet).
We had managed to eat enough at the Wegmans that the ribs were not ritually burned that night and we settled on just a steak. The bloody things are so thick I just couldn't get the kids ones to cook all the way through. I did however manage to provide Rare steaks for all who wanted them.
Monday brought a different challenge. We had always planned to attend the Presidents day (George Washingtons Birthday - a Bank holiday) parade in Alexandria. Couple of options to get there...Metro - likely to be packed...drive to Alexandria and park - gonna be heaving, or, and this is genius, combine the two. We drove to a metro two stops away and caught the metro in one stop and then planned to catch a connecting bus to the parade (are you still following this).
To be fair it all went quite smoothly until the connecting bus didn't show. So we rolled up our trousers and hiked it a whole 2 miles through snow to where the parade was gloriously waiting for us.
Or maybe not....
Because the snow was melting on the roof of the tall buildings it had been cancelled for safety reasons...pooh!
We took the opportunity to visit a couple of museums (a really old tavern where George Washington ate and an old apothecary which was outstanding).
Waited for another bus that was also never going to come...pooh and walked back the the metro. Knackered we then prepared the ribs in a quite gorgeous honey garlic glaze and I said my farewells to them all. I was back to work on Tuesday and Sof was off to sunny! Canada for a week with the Munros. she got there safe and has since celebrated her birthday by buying a new dress (spendthrift). I'll let you know how my first solo week in office goes when I have managed to complete it (don't want to jinx it but is going good so far)
speak soon peeps!
Well its been action packed..kinda.
Sof and I had one night alone following my return from Florida before our first house guests arrived. That's right Chez Brycock is open for business. Saturday morning brought the delights of the Munro clan fresh from a 12 hour drive from Toronto. They drove through the night sharing the load and were therefore able to maintain some sort of awakitude during the whole of Saturday.
We spent the day catching up..me on my sleep from my week away and Sof chatting incessantly with the Munrods. We had always planned to go out for a meal that night and the Munros had spent some time in the area and knew of a microbrewery nearby. We loaded up and headed over to experience the wonders of the Dogfish head inn in West Falls Church.
The place served up some pretty potent fare. Beers ranging from a modest 4% up to a mind splattering 18%+ (so high they served it in a brandy glass). Some were good and some pretty minging to be honest. The good ones were purchased in bulk by the Munros at the end of the night and the food was great too! A selection of burgers sandwiches and other gorgeous offerings filled us up (inevitably).
Sunday we chose to nurse our swollen heads at home but then stepped up to go out shopping at our local Wegmans (a high class Sainsburys) and then head off to Georgetown in the centre of DC. Georgetown is the location of the only known Hello Kitty supplier in the area so Sof was homing in from the moment we parked the car. Completely by surprise we found ourselves enjoying coffee and Hot chocolate 10 yards from the shop. Sof heroically caved in to peer pressure and visited the shop only to not buy anything??? What a hero. The trip home exposed the wonders of the Sat Nav. It tells you to take a left and immediately next "at the next opportunity do a U-turn" bloody marvellous. The trip home sparked our hunger safe in the knowledge Ribs and steak awaited us at home. Dave and I popped out to a more local microbrewery to pick up a couple of Growlers (Vast roman vases filled with 2 litres of locally brewed beer which you can refill for about 1/4 of the price of 1/5 litre at the same pub (sweet).
We had managed to eat enough at the Wegmans that the ribs were not ritually burned that night and we settled on just a steak. The bloody things are so thick I just couldn't get the kids ones to cook all the way through. I did however manage to provide Rare steaks for all who wanted them.
Monday brought a different challenge. We had always planned to attend the Presidents day (George Washingtons Birthday - a Bank holiday) parade in Alexandria. Couple of options to get there...Metro - likely to be packed...drive to Alexandria and park - gonna be heaving, or, and this is genius, combine the two. We drove to a metro two stops away and caught the metro in one stop and then planned to catch a connecting bus to the parade (are you still following this).
To be fair it all went quite smoothly until the connecting bus didn't show. So we rolled up our trousers and hiked it a whole 2 miles through snow to where the parade was gloriously waiting for us.
Or maybe not....
Because the snow was melting on the roof of the tall buildings it had been cancelled for safety reasons...pooh!
We took the opportunity to visit a couple of museums (a really old tavern where George Washington ate and an old apothecary which was outstanding).
Waited for another bus that was also never going to come...pooh and walked back the the metro. Knackered we then prepared the ribs in a quite gorgeous honey garlic glaze and I said my farewells to them all. I was back to work on Tuesday and Sof was off to sunny! Canada for a week with the Munros. she got there safe and has since celebrated her birthday by buying a new dress (spendthrift). I'll let you know how my first solo week in office goes when I have managed to complete it (don't want to jinx it but is going good so far)
speak soon peeps!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Little Mr Sunshine (state)
Paul,
Returning from my first out of DC meeting turned out to be a bit more difficult than I thought. Mind you getting there was just as tough!
....Dateline Sunday....Paul is due to fly at 12 noon...Airport closed....flight understandably cancelled.... I had no issues with this and spent the day with Sof and watched the Superbowl at some locals house. You already know that! The flight out on Monday was relatively uneventful apart from some spectacular turbulence over Georgia..bugger! Trying to get to my hotel also quite easy apart from the GPS locating the satellite immediately after had made the wrong turn on to the highway in the opposite direction. Added about 20 mins to the journey so not too catastrophic. The hotel seemed to be quite biz are really. Separate spurs containing ten rooms right next to a beach! Cocoa beach in fact! The meeting itself was pretty decent, picked up some decent pointers on what I actually do here.
The best bit had to be watching the Atlas rocket launch. Our meeting was particularly close to the launch area up at Cape Canaveral so we got some people to keep an eye on the launch countdown on their phones and all ran out to watch the take off when it actually happened. Blimey it was great, the shape of the rocket was clearly visible...cracking.
The return was slightly more problematic. Getting to he airport after another huge snow dump at DC I knew the chances of not getting back home were quite high. However, the airline kept telling me that it was on time and despite an earlier flight having a delay mine was on target to leave. Arriving at the gate after check in I saw the delayed flight take off so I knew that I could at least land at the airport...things were looking quite sunny. But I hadn't counted on fate!
It appeared that snow was not my problem this time. "Mechanical problems in the cockpit", not words you really want to hear where planes are concerned (in my opinion up there with "wings a bit loose"). The panic set in as the poor airline guy had to announce the flight being cancelled. All the people who had been stranded at Orlando whilst the snow had blockaded DC could see another night in Florida on the horizon. This time it wasn't an act of god keeping them in country but the airplane being unable to fly. So we got $10 for an evening meal, $5 for breakfast and a free night at a hotel (incidentally much nicer than my hotel for the previous few days).
Getting a new flight seemed quite easy too. As soon as the cancellation was called I called up US Airways and re booked on to the first flight the following morning (7.20am). Unfortunately they had no courtesy buses free at the hotel near my flight time so I had 4 hours sleep at the hotel before having to catch the bus at 4:30 to the airport. Landed....did a full days work....drove home in massive traffic jam....16 hour working day....never again.
Seems that the gods are against me being lucky in travel.
Still Becca, Dave , Georgia , Daisy here now and Sof happy I'm back. all is right with the world. Sof off to Canada on Tuesday so I am keeping the home fires burning. She is only doing it to spite me I know but I think I will probably beat her for time on travel over the 3 year span out here.
Toodle pip
Returning from my first out of DC meeting turned out to be a bit more difficult than I thought. Mind you getting there was just as tough!
....Dateline Sunday....Paul is due to fly at 12 noon...Airport closed....flight understandably cancelled.... I had no issues with this and spent the day with Sof and watched the Superbowl at some locals house. You already know that! The flight out on Monday was relatively uneventful apart from some spectacular turbulence over Georgia..bugger! Trying to get to my hotel also quite easy apart from the GPS locating the satellite immediately after had made the wrong turn on to the highway in the opposite direction. Added about 20 mins to the journey so not too catastrophic. The hotel seemed to be quite biz are really. Separate spurs containing ten rooms right next to a beach! Cocoa beach in fact! The meeting itself was pretty decent, picked up some decent pointers on what I actually do here.
The best bit had to be watching the Atlas rocket launch. Our meeting was particularly close to the launch area up at Cape Canaveral so we got some people to keep an eye on the launch countdown on their phones and all ran out to watch the take off when it actually happened. Blimey it was great, the shape of the rocket was clearly visible...cracking.
The return was slightly more problematic. Getting to he airport after another huge snow dump at DC I knew the chances of not getting back home were quite high. However, the airline kept telling me that it was on time and despite an earlier flight having a delay mine was on target to leave. Arriving at the gate after check in I saw the delayed flight take off so I knew that I could at least land at the airport...things were looking quite sunny. But I hadn't counted on fate!
It appeared that snow was not my problem this time. "Mechanical problems in the cockpit", not words you really want to hear where planes are concerned (in my opinion up there with "wings a bit loose"). The panic set in as the poor airline guy had to announce the flight being cancelled. All the people who had been stranded at Orlando whilst the snow had blockaded DC could see another night in Florida on the horizon. This time it wasn't an act of god keeping them in country but the airplane being unable to fly. So we got $10 for an evening meal, $5 for breakfast and a free night at a hotel (incidentally much nicer than my hotel for the previous few days).
Getting a new flight seemed quite easy too. As soon as the cancellation was called I called up US Airways and re booked on to the first flight the following morning (7.20am). Unfortunately they had no courtesy buses free at the hotel near my flight time so I had 4 hours sleep at the hotel before having to catch the bus at 4:30 to the airport. Landed....did a full days work....drove home in massive traffic jam....16 hour working day....never again.
Seems that the gods are against me being lucky in travel.
Still Becca, Dave , Georgia , Daisy here now and Sof happy I'm back. all is right with the world. Sof off to Canada on Tuesday so I am keeping the home fires burning. She is only doing it to spite me I know but I think I will probably beat her for time on travel over the 3 year span out here.
Toodle pip
Friday, February 12, 2010
Highs and lows
Sof:
I think I should make it my motto to never write a blog when I'm feeling low. And, yeah, this week has def been a low one for me. Combination of no land line, no husband, no company apart from cats, no stuff and unable to get out due to bad weather. There is only so much Internet and cleaning one can do!! I do try to be positive, as you all know, but this is actually quite hard. At least I have got through the worst of it now - there is so much happening from now on, that i should never have to repeat this week again.For those who believe - Thank the Lord!
Paul is now in DC (I'm eagerly awaiting his arrival home). His flight got cancelled last night so he had another night in Orlando. Because of that when he arrived in DC he had to go straight to work! But at least he has picked up our car and the other 'presents' that Dave has left us! Yay!
I have managed to fix Jacobs Liverpool curtains so they can now go in his room - he will be happy! And I have attempted to sort out the numerous lamps in the upstairs room. Americans seem to despise having ceiling lights for some weird reason, so I've tried to have a lamp that is workable from the light switch, and a lamp by the bedside!
I had a surprise phone call from my good friend, Vix. It's always nice to hear peoples voices - you really do get sick of the American accent and always having to speak slowly - which for me is near on impossible!! haha!!
Becca, Dave, Georgia and Daisy arrive tomorrow morning from Canada. VERY EXCITED! They are a couple of days earlier than when I thought, but that is great. I can't wait to go back to Canada with them too! I wonder what treats they'll have in store for my birthday (selfish me, I know!)
I also found a Hello Kitty waffle maker - yes, it does waffles in the correct shapes - for $20 - bargain! I'm gonna have to sneak that one in the house at some point.....
Bank of America also do a HK credit card, which I will apply fro in a year or so. Want to make sure I get some credit history so I wont get turned down!
I've also managed to connect to a private network jobbie things, which means I can watch BBC i-player and other UK TV on the Internet - oh the joys of British TV!! Haha! AT present, we have got it so we can watch Being Human - was most annoyed when the new series started up the same week that we moved out here! And I could even watch Neighbours if I wanted to....
On the snow front - and yes, I am as sick of writing about it as you are hearing it - I spent over 3 hours shovelling the drive and an access route out to the road. When the weather is bad here, they have a law which states that if you must park your car on the road (pavement) then you must park it on the even numbered side, so the ploughs can plough a straight route through. We live on the even side. Which means we have to dig twice as far out to get to the road!I had a little bit of help from next door, Chris, but I was on my own for the majority....phew! I ended up in a t-shirt only in 0 degrees! They say we may have more at the weekend - again, those who believe - please pray we don't!
I've not much more to say on the whole US front now. As I've only been inside with my own musings and DC 101. Excellent station.
I'm sure we'll update you soon - well, maybe Paul will when I'm in Canada! Thanks to those who have said they enjoy this blog. Was in two minds to begin with, but (and I'll speak for Paul) we are both glad we started it and can allow people to be nosey!
Love you all. Thanks for the support - you know who you are.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I think I should make it my motto to never write a blog when I'm feeling low. And, yeah, this week has def been a low one for me. Combination of no land line, no husband, no company apart from cats, no stuff and unable to get out due to bad weather. There is only so much Internet and cleaning one can do!! I do try to be positive, as you all know, but this is actually quite hard. At least I have got through the worst of it now - there is so much happening from now on, that i should never have to repeat this week again.For those who believe - Thank the Lord!
Paul is now in DC (I'm eagerly awaiting his arrival home). His flight got cancelled last night so he had another night in Orlando. Because of that when he arrived in DC he had to go straight to work! But at least he has picked up our car and the other 'presents' that Dave has left us! Yay!
I have managed to fix Jacobs Liverpool curtains so they can now go in his room - he will be happy! And I have attempted to sort out the numerous lamps in the upstairs room. Americans seem to despise having ceiling lights for some weird reason, so I've tried to have a lamp that is workable from the light switch, and a lamp by the bedside!
I had a surprise phone call from my good friend, Vix. It's always nice to hear peoples voices - you really do get sick of the American accent and always having to speak slowly - which for me is near on impossible!! haha!!
Becca, Dave, Georgia and Daisy arrive tomorrow morning from Canada. VERY EXCITED! They are a couple of days earlier than when I thought, but that is great. I can't wait to go back to Canada with them too! I wonder what treats they'll have in store for my birthday (selfish me, I know!)
I also found a Hello Kitty waffle maker - yes, it does waffles in the correct shapes - for $20 - bargain! I'm gonna have to sneak that one in the house at some point.....
Bank of America also do a HK credit card, which I will apply fro in a year or so. Want to make sure I get some credit history so I wont get turned down!
I've also managed to connect to a private network jobbie things, which means I can watch BBC i-player and other UK TV on the Internet - oh the joys of British TV!! Haha! AT present, we have got it so we can watch Being Human - was most annoyed when the new series started up the same week that we moved out here! And I could even watch Neighbours if I wanted to....
On the snow front - and yes, I am as sick of writing about it as you are hearing it - I spent over 3 hours shovelling the drive and an access route out to the road. When the weather is bad here, they have a law which states that if you must park your car on the road (pavement) then you must park it on the even numbered side, so the ploughs can plough a straight route through. We live on the even side. Which means we have to dig twice as far out to get to the road!I had a little bit of help from next door, Chris, but I was on my own for the majority....phew! I ended up in a t-shirt only in 0 degrees! They say we may have more at the weekend - again, those who believe - please pray we don't!
I've not much more to say on the whole US front now. As I've only been inside with my own musings and DC 101. Excellent station.
I'm sure we'll update you soon - well, maybe Paul will when I'm in Canada! Thanks to those who have said they enjoy this blog. Was in two minds to begin with, but (and I'll speak for Paul) we are both glad we started it and can allow people to be nosey!
Love you all. Thanks for the support - you know who you are.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
SNOMG II
Yes, people, it is snowing AGAIN! It is 10am, I am sat in bed with breakfast and cats, minus a husband. IT is a veritable blizzard this time - windy. I honesty thought there was a tornado outside my window 15 minutes ago (they do have them out here! I'm supposed to find a safe room to hide in cos of the amount of trees behind us!).
This was hilarious. It is not anymore! It is currently at about 7" on top of the 26" already there (although that has melted a little due to the past two glorious days!). I am measuring it from my wooden veranda - I cleared the rest of it off yesterday in anticipation of today. I didn't want it collapsing on me through weight of snow! That took me 50m to clear around the 2 3rds that was left. We cleared an escape route prior to this, as American houses are not the safest when it comes to their electrical wiring........and the house is made of wood.....and how would a fire engine get here anyway in the snow??!!
SO i am in bed with my eye on Dirk and Jane's house over the road, because when they decide to go out and shovel, that is when I will go out and shovel! I swear this is penance for not bringing my running gear with me!
As Paul is in Florida, enjoying himself with dinner out and bowling, his work colleague ....OMG......I can NOT see out of my window due to wind and snow......scary! Anyway, his colleague Iain and his wife, Alison, very kindly offered to take me shopping, to pick up a few bits before the storm and to reduce the cabin fever that has been setting in slowly. I have never met them before, so it was especially nice! We drove out to a new supermarket, Harris Teeters, and I added another loyalty card fob to my keyring. The drive out was amazing. The huge mounds of snow, twice Paul's height, the idiocy of the ploughs, not clearing corners properly leading to cars having to enter the road in the middle, NO SIDEWALKS anywhere! All pedestrians I saw were walking on the road, as there was no way you would have even gotten onto the sidewalks like we did on Sunday. Paul will not be able to walk to the metro until it clears, and i suspect that will take a good few weeks. We saw lots of pockets of snow when we first came out here left from the December storms!
So back to the exciting trip - I can tell you are all at the edge of your seats! I picked up the essentials - milk, bread, beans, beer...Paul would be proud! Seriously though, I kinda thought that if i was gonna be stuck here by myself, I want a drink......have you noticed I am enjoying the drink a bit more these days??!!
They stopped off for a coffee too. They are officially my first guests I have provided sustenance for - the Italian in me went wild! We had to leave the car at the top of the road as our road was still impassable for a 2 wheel drive, so they helped me down with my bags. I did feel guilty afterwards, as I thought maybe I shouldn't have picked up so much, but I had honestly forgotten that we couldn't get to my doorstep and had to walk!
I hope I haven't scared them off too much. I made a big booboo by saying that I don't but the heating on all the time here, even though we get it paid for, as I am conscience of the environment, to which it then transpired that Alison always has her heating on, regardless! ENGAGE BRAIN BEFORE MOUTH SOF!! I suppose people will either love me or hate me.
SO I am getting rather good at 2 suit Spider Solitaire (Dad - you should give it a go), and I actually cooked myself a proper meal last night (most people should know that when Paul is away, I live on tuna/pasta or toast) - veggie taco sauce with rice and natural yogurt. With ice cream, and oreos for dessert. Peanut butter and chocolate ice cream. Divine.
Ha - I love it - i just saw a snow plough go by - the first one since Saturday - clearing the road! What a stupid waste of time!
I apologise for the amount of snow news. I hope that you haven't fallen asleep yet................................HELLO!!
Feedback is desirable at all times. Please...........
xxxx
This was hilarious. It is not anymore! It is currently at about 7" on top of the 26" already there (although that has melted a little due to the past two glorious days!). I am measuring it from my wooden veranda - I cleared the rest of it off yesterday in anticipation of today. I didn't want it collapsing on me through weight of snow! That took me 50m to clear around the 2 3rds that was left. We cleared an escape route prior to this, as American houses are not the safest when it comes to their electrical wiring........and the house is made of wood.....and how would a fire engine get here anyway in the snow??!!
SO i am in bed with my eye on Dirk and Jane's house over the road, because when they decide to go out and shovel, that is when I will go out and shovel! I swear this is penance for not bringing my running gear with me!
As Paul is in Florida, enjoying himself with dinner out and bowling, his work colleague ....OMG......I can NOT see out of my window due to wind and snow......scary! Anyway, his colleague Iain and his wife, Alison, very kindly offered to take me shopping, to pick up a few bits before the storm and to reduce the cabin fever that has been setting in slowly. I have never met them before, so it was especially nice! We drove out to a new supermarket, Harris Teeters, and I added another loyalty card fob to my keyring. The drive out was amazing. The huge mounds of snow, twice Paul's height, the idiocy of the ploughs, not clearing corners properly leading to cars having to enter the road in the middle, NO SIDEWALKS anywhere! All pedestrians I saw were walking on the road, as there was no way you would have even gotten onto the sidewalks like we did on Sunday. Paul will not be able to walk to the metro until it clears, and i suspect that will take a good few weeks. We saw lots of pockets of snow when we first came out here left from the December storms!
So back to the exciting trip - I can tell you are all at the edge of your seats! I picked up the essentials - milk, bread, beans, beer...Paul would be proud! Seriously though, I kinda thought that if i was gonna be stuck here by myself, I want a drink......have you noticed I am enjoying the drink a bit more these days??!!
They stopped off for a coffee too. They are officially my first guests I have provided sustenance for - the Italian in me went wild! We had to leave the car at the top of the road as our road was still impassable for a 2 wheel drive, so they helped me down with my bags. I did feel guilty afterwards, as I thought maybe I shouldn't have picked up so much, but I had honestly forgotten that we couldn't get to my doorstep and had to walk!
I hope I haven't scared them off too much. I made a big booboo by saying that I don't but the heating on all the time here, even though we get it paid for, as I am conscience of the environment, to which it then transpired that Alison always has her heating on, regardless! ENGAGE BRAIN BEFORE MOUTH SOF!! I suppose people will either love me or hate me.
SO I am getting rather good at 2 suit Spider Solitaire (Dad - you should give it a go), and I actually cooked myself a proper meal last night (most people should know that when Paul is away, I live on tuna/pasta or toast) - veggie taco sauce with rice and natural yogurt. With ice cream, and oreos for dessert. Peanut butter and chocolate ice cream. Divine.
Ha - I love it - i just saw a snow plough go by - the first one since Saturday - clearing the road! What a stupid waste of time!
I apologise for the amount of snow news. I hope that you haven't fallen asleep yet................................HELLO!!
Feedback is desirable at all times. Please...........
xxxx
Monday, February 8, 2010
Superbowl, super beer and super people!
I tell you, there is nothing more satisfying that dancing to Pappilon (Editors) whist sweeping/dancing on a shiny hard wood floor. Magic......
Thanks to everyone for making sure that we hadn't died of starvation during the SNOMG! Much appreciated. Luckily, we do have provisions, and a snow shovel, and even more luckily, we have 2 legs and feet. Amazing where you can go when you put one in front of the other. Not sure these Americans have yet got the hang of this.......
.......which was definitely the case when we decided to go for a walk! It was BEAUTIFUL!! The snow was diamond white, the sun a shining, blue sky, and warm. Paul wanted a beer. Typical man wants to go and spend time in a dark place when nature is at its nigh!! But at least we had to walk somewhere. I was thinking I may of seized up due to the shovelling - trust me, I never even knew i had those back muscles, even with all the running/exercise I've done in my life! So we go a walking. It was fine until we got to the end of our sidewalk.....to a barrier of 27" snow! So yes, we had to wade through the snow to the road in order to be able to continue walking. We have pictures of our escapades, however we can't upload them onto here, as the files are far too big and will slow this already slow machine down further! At the top of the road we meet a some lovely ladies, one a social worker just returned from a 2 year stint in Canterbury! We get chatting - they are singlehandly shovelling the road so they can get their cars out for work tomorrow! We had a chat and then they invited us round later to watch the Superbowl (BIG thing over here - pansies in stuffing and tight trousers. RUGBY ALL THE WAY!!).
WOW
Can you IMAGINE an American couple walking around in Clifton, meeting some Brits for 3 minutes who then invite them round to watch the final in the FA cup......
??
NO!!
We were super pleased and slightly dazed. So with promises to come over later (with cheesy puffs and beer) we continued our walk to the pub. It makes me laugh thinking about it - it was MENTAL!! So funny. The snow ploughs had decided to clear the roads, but they ploughed the snow ONTO the sidewalks, which meant we couldn't get to them! They were taller than Paul! So we had to walk on the main road in the slush with cars shooting by - scary! We did decide to do one safer detour, which was again fun wading through ass high snow. We eventually arrived at the Sweet Water Tavern. These guys brew their own beer - and what beer it was - super fine! I had a half liter (that;s how they spell it here) of a 9.97% stout. Red cheeks ahoy! The barmaid was nice (Nicky) and she was super chatty. The atmosphere was great. We discovered that for a down payment of $15 (about GBP9.60) you can purchase a glass 2 liter jug of whatever beer you want, and then you can refill this for a max of $8.50. Considering my half liter cost $5 alone - BARGAIN!! I know my Dad will be happy when he arrives! Let us know if you want us to bring a few in before you visit! We can also get dirt cheap booze for your visit too - GBP7.50 for a liter of Bombay Sapphire gin - whoop whoop!
We ventured back - me weaving slightly - and met the lovely ladies again, who again said we should come round. I don't need to be asked twice - reticent English my ass!
This was also the first time we let the puss cats out. I kinda figured that they couldn't go too far as the snow was way too deep, so we could contain them on the veranda. Bless, they didn't like the snow but were curious. I don't think we'll have many problems when they finally do go out.
So off we trudge to the house up the end. 4 ladies house share together. It was so much fun! Watching the Superbowl with Americans was ideal. We 'rooted' for the Saints, and they won! Fab. Learnt lots about American vs English culture. As Kerry (social worker) had just returned from the UK it was good to compare and be understood. She frequently said - you won't be understood if you say that phrase - it doesn't translate!! Like "have you sorted the hummus" = blank looks. "have you fixed the hummus" = "why yes we have - it is lovely!"
I can tell we are going have some problems......
So we have made some new friends, and I have made a new running friend. Kerry is about my size, and runs at about the same speed. She has done many more races than I, but she hasn't run since Nov, like me, and is keen to get back into it! YAY! So I'm just waiting for my gear to get here now!
I really appreciate our neighbours making this transition so easy for us. They are so helpful, so informative and so generous. I am already thinking that it will be hard to leave, and we are only 3 weeks in!
So I will leave you now. Paul has gone to Florida, his flight being rescheduled. It is only about 14 in temp, so I'm not too bothered......!! He'll return on Thursday eve. I have scheduled a week of cleaning to stop the boredom. Love it!
So pip pip. Til the next time.....
DC 101 ROCKS!!
Thanks to everyone for making sure that we hadn't died of starvation during the SNOMG! Much appreciated. Luckily, we do have provisions, and a snow shovel, and even more luckily, we have 2 legs and feet. Amazing where you can go when you put one in front of the other. Not sure these Americans have yet got the hang of this.......
.......which was definitely the case when we decided to go for a walk! It was BEAUTIFUL!! The snow was diamond white, the sun a shining, blue sky, and warm. Paul wanted a beer. Typical man wants to go and spend time in a dark place when nature is at its nigh!! But at least we had to walk somewhere. I was thinking I may of seized up due to the shovelling - trust me, I never even knew i had those back muscles, even with all the running/exercise I've done in my life! So we go a walking. It was fine until we got to the end of our sidewalk.....to a barrier of 27" snow! So yes, we had to wade through the snow to the road in order to be able to continue walking. We have pictures of our escapades, however we can't upload them onto here, as the files are far too big and will slow this already slow machine down further! At the top of the road we meet a some lovely ladies, one a social worker just returned from a 2 year stint in Canterbury! We get chatting - they are singlehandly shovelling the road so they can get their cars out for work tomorrow! We had a chat and then they invited us round later to watch the Superbowl (BIG thing over here - pansies in stuffing and tight trousers. RUGBY ALL THE WAY!!).
WOW
Can you IMAGINE an American couple walking around in Clifton, meeting some Brits for 3 minutes who then invite them round to watch the final in the FA cup......
??
NO!!
We were super pleased and slightly dazed. So with promises to come over later (with cheesy puffs and beer) we continued our walk to the pub. It makes me laugh thinking about it - it was MENTAL!! So funny. The snow ploughs had decided to clear the roads, but they ploughed the snow ONTO the sidewalks, which meant we couldn't get to them! They were taller than Paul! So we had to walk on the main road in the slush with cars shooting by - scary! We did decide to do one safer detour, which was again fun wading through ass high snow. We eventually arrived at the Sweet Water Tavern. These guys brew their own beer - and what beer it was - super fine! I had a half liter (that;s how they spell it here) of a 9.97% stout. Red cheeks ahoy! The barmaid was nice (Nicky) and she was super chatty. The atmosphere was great. We discovered that for a down payment of $15 (about GBP9.60) you can purchase a glass 2 liter jug of whatever beer you want, and then you can refill this for a max of $8.50. Considering my half liter cost $5 alone - BARGAIN!! I know my Dad will be happy when he arrives! Let us know if you want us to bring a few in before you visit! We can also get dirt cheap booze for your visit too - GBP7.50 for a liter of Bombay Sapphire gin - whoop whoop!
We ventured back - me weaving slightly - and met the lovely ladies again, who again said we should come round. I don't need to be asked twice - reticent English my ass!
This was also the first time we let the puss cats out. I kinda figured that they couldn't go too far as the snow was way too deep, so we could contain them on the veranda. Bless, they didn't like the snow but were curious. I don't think we'll have many problems when they finally do go out.
So off we trudge to the house up the end. 4 ladies house share together. It was so much fun! Watching the Superbowl with Americans was ideal. We 'rooted' for the Saints, and they won! Fab. Learnt lots about American vs English culture. As Kerry (social worker) had just returned from the UK it was good to compare and be understood. She frequently said - you won't be understood if you say that phrase - it doesn't translate!! Like "have you sorted the hummus" = blank looks. "have you fixed the hummus" = "why yes we have - it is lovely!"
I can tell we are going have some problems......
So we have made some new friends, and I have made a new running friend. Kerry is about my size, and runs at about the same speed. She has done many more races than I, but she hasn't run since Nov, like me, and is keen to get back into it! YAY! So I'm just waiting for my gear to get here now!
I really appreciate our neighbours making this transition so easy for us. They are so helpful, so informative and so generous. I am already thinking that it will be hard to leave, and we are only 3 weeks in!
So I will leave you now. Paul has gone to Florida, his flight being rescheduled. It is only about 14 in temp, so I'm not too bothered......!! He'll return on Thursday eve. I have scheduled a week of cleaning to stop the boredom. Love it!
So pip pip. Til the next time.....
DC 101 ROCKS!!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Snowpocalypse!
PAUL:
Well we survived the SNOWMAGEDDON! (my personal favorite is SNOMG). To be honest it has been not much more than a snonnoyance. My flight to Orlando got cancelled today so following a bit of re-organising I am now going Monday afternoon. This means I shall get to watch the Superbowl with Sof tonight. The enthusiasm Sof has for this is positively boundless.
The snow started on Friday and we thought we would see the cool headedness of the Americans kick in. Unfortunately the DC area is traditionally recognised as being the panic centre of the universe when it comes to snow and this was starting early. The federal agencies had already said go home early from work and we had decided to drop our hire car back a day early so we wouldn't get charged if we couldn't get it back on time. We left the airport at 11am to head off to the centre of DC on the metro.
Using Sofia's 'SatNav' brain we were off to buy some tickets for an evening with Kevin Smith at a synagogue somewhere within the DC diamond. Sof was positive that we had to get off at Chinatown (No Hello Kitty intent she swears). Once off the Metro SOf lost the ability to remember more than one of the street names that the synagogue was on. This meant that we now had the option to walk the entire east-west stretch of DC to find the place hoping it would "stand out if we passed it".
Extremely fortunately for Sof and in no way due to her navigational skills. it did stand out and we managed to get our tickets. And still it snowed!
We picked up some lunch from a potbelly's sandwich shop I loved it Sof said it was too hot. Ha! And still it snowed.
The journey back from DC was a bit fraught. Every worker in the state was leaving work early cause of the snow and each metro was packed to overflowing. My previous experience with a packed metro gave me a sense of foreboding. As Obi Wan said "I have a bad feeling about this" Luckily the driver had a bit of a sense of humour and organised the metro into two teams to see who could allow passengers on and off the train more successfully. I can hereby let you know that the Right side of the train was officially better.
Once home we set about watching the snow build up. And blimey did it keep coming. The Friday night was okay but by Saturday it was getting Snowpocalyptic!!! We had three trips outside in to the driveway and pavement to do some shovelling. Once again very grateful to the neighbour with the snow plough as he did part of the sidewalk for us. That saved about two hours of digging. It kept snowing until 7pm Sat night by which time it had reached a buttock high 26 inches for us.
I stepped out to do the last dig out of the day and returned back to a bottle of beer and some BBQ ribs (+ the leftovers from our previous nights pizza). Feet up and time for a film (watched the Da Vinci Code). Now we are spending our Sunday marvelling at the depth of the snow and then having to look away as the sun is too bloody dazzling off the snow. Worst snowfall in 70 years.
Welcome to DC Brycocks
Well we survived the SNOWMAGEDDON! (my personal favorite is SNOMG). To be honest it has been not much more than a snonnoyance. My flight to Orlando got cancelled today so following a bit of re-organising I am now going Monday afternoon. This means I shall get to watch the Superbowl with Sof tonight. The enthusiasm Sof has for this is positively boundless.
The snow started on Friday and we thought we would see the cool headedness of the Americans kick in. Unfortunately the DC area is traditionally recognised as being the panic centre of the universe when it comes to snow and this was starting early. The federal agencies had already said go home early from work and we had decided to drop our hire car back a day early so we wouldn't get charged if we couldn't get it back on time. We left the airport at 11am to head off to the centre of DC on the metro.
Using Sofia's 'SatNav' brain we were off to buy some tickets for an evening with Kevin Smith at a synagogue somewhere within the DC diamond. Sof was positive that we had to get off at Chinatown (No Hello Kitty intent she swears). Once off the Metro SOf lost the ability to remember more than one of the street names that the synagogue was on. This meant that we now had the option to walk the entire east-west stretch of DC to find the place hoping it would "stand out if we passed it".
Extremely fortunately for Sof and in no way due to her navigational skills. it did stand out and we managed to get our tickets. And still it snowed!
We picked up some lunch from a potbelly's sandwich shop I loved it Sof said it was too hot. Ha! And still it snowed.
The journey back from DC was a bit fraught. Every worker in the state was leaving work early cause of the snow and each metro was packed to overflowing. My previous experience with a packed metro gave me a sense of foreboding. As Obi Wan said "I have a bad feeling about this" Luckily the driver had a bit of a sense of humour and organised the metro into two teams to see who could allow passengers on and off the train more successfully. I can hereby let you know that the Right side of the train was officially better.
Once home we set about watching the snow build up. And blimey did it keep coming. The Friday night was okay but by Saturday it was getting Snowpocalyptic!!! We had three trips outside in to the driveway and pavement to do some shovelling. Once again very grateful to the neighbour with the snow plough as he did part of the sidewalk for us. That saved about two hours of digging. It kept snowing until 7pm Sat night by which time it had reached a buttock high 26 inches for us.
I stepped out to do the last dig out of the day and returned back to a bottle of beer and some BBQ ribs (+ the leftovers from our previous nights pizza). Feet up and time for a film (watched the Da Vinci Code). Now we are spending our Sunday marvelling at the depth of the snow and then having to look away as the sun is too bloody dazzling off the snow. Worst snowfall in 70 years.
Welcome to DC Brycocks
Friday, February 5, 2010
The Strangers in the Night
Here are some of the things we find strange so far:
~ The way they can't decipher a word unless you say it EXACTLY the way they want to hear it - eg pitta bread. It MUST be pronounced peeta!
~ The pavement is the road. "walk on the pavement please" means go play on the road!
~ Their obsession with weight and calories! Even beer is advertised with the calorie content!
~ Moralistic sitcoms. I want to laugh at a sitcom, not be told how to raise a family and deal with conflict. Suppose this is why we love Buffy!!
~ The lack of mop buckets!! And HobBrite (TM) - mother!! Bring some over!!
~ The way the snow plough will plough all the snow off the road - ONTO THE SIDEWALK!! Completely restricting pedestrian access! Bastards!
~ The apparent frequent power cuts and water supply cuts during summer. Where are we living again??
By all means - we are not moaning! In fact, we are totally loving it out here - 2 weeks today! People are so lovely - Sof went out for dinner with the spouses association on Thur eve which was a success. They are mainly much older women, but it was a laugh. They were real friendly and invited her to various events. Paul has managed to find a semi lift share, and with that comes a new friend who has invited us to dinner already!
Our stuff is still in the UK - so not best pleased! Especially when the Embassy asked for the stuff they lent us back! Thank goodness they agreed to an extension until our stuff arrives....Paul had a whip round at his work place, so we have a few extra essentials in case they do take our bits back.
We are currently in a 'severe weather warning/state of emergency' here. Predicted 26" snow. It is pretty amazing out there really - snowing since 10am and still going. We had to drop the hire car off one day early as we probably wouldn't have been able to get there tomorrow! That meant a trudge back from the Metro (via picking up tickets to see Kevin Smith in April - an evening with...) which took about 45 minutes. This was in bad weather, so really hoping we can cut this down to 30 minutes in good weather! Else our visitors will have a few problems.
We ordered pizza tonight - thru the Internet and had it delivered. We are so living it up! Paul is hoping to still be able to get to Florida on Sunday, we'll have to keep an eye out on the airport/weather status.
The cats are still really wanting to chase them darn squirrels! I can just see it - calling the fire brigade to get Chaos out of the trees! Considering the amount of trees and squirrels, I reckon they'll be coming out every hour! We've been looking at toilet training the cats too - using the toilet. You can get some expensive kits, or you can homemake things! So we are in the process of changing to flushable litter and then the training will begin. After that, we were thinking of teaching them to speak.....I'll keep you all updated!
xx
~ The way they can't decipher a word unless you say it EXACTLY the way they want to hear it - eg pitta bread. It MUST be pronounced peeta!
~ The pavement is the road. "walk on the pavement please" means go play on the road!
~ Their obsession with weight and calories! Even beer is advertised with the calorie content!
~ Moralistic sitcoms. I want to laugh at a sitcom, not be told how to raise a family and deal with conflict. Suppose this is why we love Buffy!!
~ The lack of mop buckets!! And HobBrite (TM) - mother!! Bring some over!!
~ The way the snow plough will plough all the snow off the road - ONTO THE SIDEWALK!! Completely restricting pedestrian access! Bastards!
~ The apparent frequent power cuts and water supply cuts during summer. Where are we living again??
By all means - we are not moaning! In fact, we are totally loving it out here - 2 weeks today! People are so lovely - Sof went out for dinner with the spouses association on Thur eve which was a success. They are mainly much older women, but it was a laugh. They were real friendly and invited her to various events. Paul has managed to find a semi lift share, and with that comes a new friend who has invited us to dinner already!
Our stuff is still in the UK - so not best pleased! Especially when the Embassy asked for the stuff they lent us back! Thank goodness they agreed to an extension until our stuff arrives....Paul had a whip round at his work place, so we have a few extra essentials in case they do take our bits back.
We are currently in a 'severe weather warning/state of emergency' here. Predicted 26" snow. It is pretty amazing out there really - snowing since 10am and still going. We had to drop the hire car off one day early as we probably wouldn't have been able to get there tomorrow! That meant a trudge back from the Metro (via picking up tickets to see Kevin Smith in April - an evening with...) which took about 45 minutes. This was in bad weather, so really hoping we can cut this down to 30 minutes in good weather! Else our visitors will have a few problems.
We ordered pizza tonight - thru the Internet and had it delivered. We are so living it up! Paul is hoping to still be able to get to Florida on Sunday, we'll have to keep an eye out on the airport/weather status.
The cats are still really wanting to chase them darn squirrels! I can just see it - calling the fire brigade to get Chaos out of the trees! Considering the amount of trees and squirrels, I reckon they'll be coming out every hour! We've been looking at toilet training the cats too - using the toilet. You can get some expensive kits, or you can homemake things! So we are in the process of changing to flushable litter and then the training will begin. After that, we were thinking of teaching them to speak.....I'll keep you all updated!
xx
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Do the STOMP!
PAUL:
Well, knackered doesn't quite cut it! The snow started Tuesday night so I knew it was gonna be tough come Wed morning. Sof has already displayed a complete reluctance to get behind the wheel when there are flakes in the air. As a result I had a choice, take the car (2 wheel drive) out in extremely deep snow or brave the walk. I chose to walk and will not make that call again in a hurry.
The metro is about 1.5 miles from our house and not being too sure about the buses in the area I figured on about 35 mins to make it to the train. Unfortunately to keep the trousers from getting totally wet I put on the super boots (around 1kg per foot) The snow was about 4-5 inches deep and the bloomin American refuse to clear anything that a non motorised vehicle needs to travel on. Seriously 1.5 miles having to lift each foot 10 cms off the ground to make each step will kill even the most hardened lazy bugger. I can confirm that I fit that bill.
1hour and 15 mins later I arrived a sweaty mass at the metro to find that a metro train had broken down blocking the line I needed. 20 mins after that they had cleared the line but the platform was heaving. Having managed to sardine myself in to the carriage we travelled two more stations down the line with yet more people somehow pushing themselves on to the train (they need those Beijing guys with White gloves who shoehorn the commuters on to the metros here). The next stop was my next Nemesis. Trying to close the doors on a clearly overcrowded train failed. The driver kept on telling us to let the doors close but to no avail. At this point he shut the train down and told everyone to get off. That would have been fine but he shut the door and bloody well drove off leaving one full trains worth and about half a trains worth who were on the platform already looking on incredulous...BASTARDO! The next half an hour was spent trying to shuffle on to one of the following trains that were also packed, blimey it was fun.
I have thus learnt that in similar cases I shall hide under a seat until the driver shuts the door and gets the funk out of there.
Very kindly a colleague gave me a lift home so was saved the ordeal in reverse. So 4 days in office and one catastrophic trip has occurred. hope that I can improve my 25% record over the coming weeks. Still of to the embassy tomorrow so additional metro journeys required. Be sure to watch this space if the experience is repeated.
SNOW HUMPH! more coming this weekend too!
Well, knackered doesn't quite cut it! The snow started Tuesday night so I knew it was gonna be tough come Wed morning. Sof has already displayed a complete reluctance to get behind the wheel when there are flakes in the air. As a result I had a choice, take the car (2 wheel drive) out in extremely deep snow or brave the walk. I chose to walk and will not make that call again in a hurry.
The metro is about 1.5 miles from our house and not being too sure about the buses in the area I figured on about 35 mins to make it to the train. Unfortunately to keep the trousers from getting totally wet I put on the super boots (around 1kg per foot) The snow was about 4-5 inches deep and the bloomin American refuse to clear anything that a non motorised vehicle needs to travel on. Seriously 1.5 miles having to lift each foot 10 cms off the ground to make each step will kill even the most hardened lazy bugger. I can confirm that I fit that bill.
1hour and 15 mins later I arrived a sweaty mass at the metro to find that a metro train had broken down blocking the line I needed. 20 mins after that they had cleared the line but the platform was heaving. Having managed to sardine myself in to the carriage we travelled two more stations down the line with yet more people somehow pushing themselves on to the train (they need those Beijing guys with White gloves who shoehorn the commuters on to the metros here). The next stop was my next Nemesis. Trying to close the doors on a clearly overcrowded train failed. The driver kept on telling us to let the doors close but to no avail. At this point he shut the train down and told everyone to get off. That would have been fine but he shut the door and bloody well drove off leaving one full trains worth and about half a trains worth who were on the platform already looking on incredulous...BASTARDO! The next half an hour was spent trying to shuffle on to one of the following trains that were also packed, blimey it was fun.
I have thus learnt that in similar cases I shall hide under a seat until the driver shuts the door and gets the funk out of there.
Very kindly a colleague gave me a lift home so was saved the ordeal in reverse. So 4 days in office and one catastrophic trip has occurred. hope that I can improve my 25% record over the coming weeks. Still of to the embassy tomorrow so additional metro journeys required. Be sure to watch this space if the experience is repeated.
SNOW HUMPH! more coming this weekend too!
Feel the burn!
Sof:
Yesterday was a day of constant pain.....every move, turn and laugh hurt. Why? BLOODY PILATES!! I had sooooo forgotten what it feels like the day after! But - no pain, no gain - right? RIGHT!! (I had to keep telling myself this after the half marathon too!!)
SO we went looking for cars yesterday. We found a nice 'shift stick' (manual) with low mileage (65K !!) but we don't want to spend too much. We tried to wangle it down to about....hang on.....this computer doesn't have a pound sign!!! How typically American! Anyhow, we wanted to wangle it down to less that 3K, but he wasn't having any of it. So instead of spending more than we want to, we decided to leave it and look again Friday. Paul hasn't yet been paid in $ yet, he was paid in pounds into the British account, so we have a semi cash flow problem at present!! SO that also added to the inability to purchase said car......
We also decided to wait until we put Dave's car thru the garage - I don't wanna commit large sums of money if Dave's car only cost 1k to fix....and I don't want 2 cars! SO we will see. We'll go out again Friday to take a look to see how much things cost, just incase!
Driving into DC was a breeze - I tell you, it was super easy to get to the bank! And the bank people are SO NICE!! I have NEVER experienced anything like it - they fall over BACKWARDS to help you - for example, I took a cheque in to cash (they cash 1 English cheque a month and pay you the dollars the next day - handy!), but Paul needed to sign the back. I offered to take it out (he was waiting in the car) and she screamed (yes, screamed) "hell, no - I'll go out and see him" leaving me baffled on the front desk....super nice, I tell you!
However, the niceness has to be given a badness, and that was a 90 minute drive OUT of DC! OK, so we were driving in rush hour, and we later discovered that the Washington Capitals (ice hockey team) were playing so EVERYONE was trying to get home in time! And it also started snowing again.....
SO we arrive home to pissed off cats - we had been out all day- and watched one of my fave episodes of Star Trek (where they all de-evolve) and decided to go out for dinner! Just to piss off the cats even more.....
Sports bar here we come (Grevey's - u can check it out on the web).....and upon being seated in a booth, we discovered all the booths had their own personal TV's to watch the ice hockey or basket ball game - in fact any sport you wanted! We watched the Caps, and I had a Taco salad (which was more cheese and meet and tortilla than lettuce!) and Paul had a burger - yum! Portion sizes are still huge - I don't think we would have normally finished it, but we hadn't had any lunch, so we were starvin marvin! It was a great atmosphere - will def take any guests who would like to go....and Neil - ice hockey season starts in Oct, so u'll be here for it when you come!
I wish I could put up pictures - we were greeted by the most amazing sight waking up this morning - the snow had come again, and it is BEAUTIFUL outside our back yard - the trees are covered in snow, and it is so picturesque. What was not picturesque was the sight of me huffing and puffing clearing the sidewalk (yes - sidewalk - pavement over here means the road) and drive. Paul walked into work today....it took him 2.5 hours - I'll let him tell you all about that later! Lovely!
So I will now leave you - I have laundry and cleaning to do. The joys of being a house wife!!
xx
Yesterday was a day of constant pain.....every move, turn and laugh hurt. Why? BLOODY PILATES!! I had sooooo forgotten what it feels like the day after! But - no pain, no gain - right? RIGHT!! (I had to keep telling myself this after the half marathon too!!)
SO we went looking for cars yesterday. We found a nice 'shift stick' (manual) with low mileage (65K !!) but we don't want to spend too much. We tried to wangle it down to about....hang on.....this computer doesn't have a pound sign!!! How typically American! Anyhow, we wanted to wangle it down to less that 3K, but he wasn't having any of it. So instead of spending more than we want to, we decided to leave it and look again Friday. Paul hasn't yet been paid in $ yet, he was paid in pounds into the British account, so we have a semi cash flow problem at present!! SO that also added to the inability to purchase said car......
We also decided to wait until we put Dave's car thru the garage - I don't wanna commit large sums of money if Dave's car only cost 1k to fix....and I don't want 2 cars! SO we will see. We'll go out again Friday to take a look to see how much things cost, just incase!
Driving into DC was a breeze - I tell you, it was super easy to get to the bank! And the bank people are SO NICE!! I have NEVER experienced anything like it - they fall over BACKWARDS to help you - for example, I took a cheque in to cash (they cash 1 English cheque a month and pay you the dollars the next day - handy!), but Paul needed to sign the back. I offered to take it out (he was waiting in the car) and she screamed (yes, screamed) "hell, no - I'll go out and see him" leaving me baffled on the front desk....super nice, I tell you!
However, the niceness has to be given a badness, and that was a 90 minute drive OUT of DC! OK, so we were driving in rush hour, and we later discovered that the Washington Capitals (ice hockey team) were playing so EVERYONE was trying to get home in time! And it also started snowing again.....
SO we arrive home to pissed off cats - we had been out all day- and watched one of my fave episodes of Star Trek (where they all de-evolve) and decided to go out for dinner! Just to piss off the cats even more.....
Sports bar here we come (Grevey's - u can check it out on the web).....and upon being seated in a booth, we discovered all the booths had their own personal TV's to watch the ice hockey or basket ball game - in fact any sport you wanted! We watched the Caps, and I had a Taco salad (which was more cheese and meet and tortilla than lettuce!) and Paul had a burger - yum! Portion sizes are still huge - I don't think we would have normally finished it, but we hadn't had any lunch, so we were starvin marvin! It was a great atmosphere - will def take any guests who would like to go....and Neil - ice hockey season starts in Oct, so u'll be here for it when you come!
I wish I could put up pictures - we were greeted by the most amazing sight waking up this morning - the snow had come again, and it is BEAUTIFUL outside our back yard - the trees are covered in snow, and it is so picturesque. What was not picturesque was the sight of me huffing and puffing clearing the sidewalk (yes - sidewalk - pavement over here means the road) and drive. Paul walked into work today....it took him 2.5 hours - I'll let him tell you all about that later! Lovely!
So I will now leave you - I have laundry and cleaning to do. The joys of being a house wife!!
xx
Monday, February 1, 2010
Success and Failures
Sof:
The snow stopped around midnight, Saturday. Shovelling resumed once again Sunday morning.....or should I say, Paul resumed shovelling.....and met further neighbours! How wonderful! Luckily is was a beautiful day, so the paths quickly melted where people had cleared them. We decided to go for a walk round the local area....and met 0 people!! Apart from some kid sledging!
Because of the snow, we could see where everyone had been walking, so we managed to find the short cut out to the main road through the hospital - success! That will definitely cut around 15 minutes off the walking time! We then had a look for the shortcut to I50 (that's a road), but were unsuccessful! We found lots of beautiful woods, calf deep snow, deer tracks and a water reservoir, but no shortcut. Never mind, we have loadsa time for further walking. Maybe I can set the visitors off to see who can find it first!!
Upon return to Brycock Mansions, we were greeting by the most calls we have had yet. For around 2 hours the telephone and computer did not stop! It was fantastic to chat to Blighty, espec when we can have proper 2 way conversations (thanks Neil for the eternal mindpoloroids of you with that microphone), and it was fab showing Paul's mum around the house. It's only my mum left to get Skype!
We are still on the hunt for a car.....I seriously want a Honda, but we don't want to spend too much. Luckily we get Paul's predecessors minivan (ford windstar) as he is getting the head gasket sorted and we'll pay the difference for the price, but for an everyday run around? This thing will eat around 16 miles to the gallon....hmmmmm...might as well buy a hummer!!! HA! Can you imagine ME in a hummer?? It was bad enough me picking up a gun to go clay pigeon shooting (which I loved and was particularly good at, strangely). But looking at the Chrysler convertibles (oh yes!) they do around 19 miles to the gallon!! hmmmmmm. And having the minivan would be great for when people come to stay, which at the moment is averaging every 2 months (how exciting!!). Thoughts on a postcard please!
So bringing you to the present, I had my first outing today, to a Pilate's class with Alice. It was really hard (I am so de-conditioned) and I've never messed about with balls and hoops before, but it was fun! The poor instructor probably wondered who the hell I was, attempting to use my 'core'! What core??!! At least I know it won't take long to build it all up again. A further date has been booked for this Friday!
On a negative note, my hands are really suffering (chapped and itchy) and my lip split earlier - well painful! My filling is loose, which is making my tooth real sensitive and my net curtains didn't come out white.
On a positive note, I fixed the dishwasher(hammer and screwdriver combo), Alice gave me some tips on reducing static electricity, I've discovered the trash and recycling days and items and my husband returns in about 20 minutes.
Love it!
The snow stopped around midnight, Saturday. Shovelling resumed once again Sunday morning.....or should I say, Paul resumed shovelling.....and met further neighbours! How wonderful! Luckily is was a beautiful day, so the paths quickly melted where people had cleared them. We decided to go for a walk round the local area....and met 0 people!! Apart from some kid sledging!
Because of the snow, we could see where everyone had been walking, so we managed to find the short cut out to the main road through the hospital - success! That will definitely cut around 15 minutes off the walking time! We then had a look for the shortcut to I50 (that's a road), but were unsuccessful! We found lots of beautiful woods, calf deep snow, deer tracks and a water reservoir, but no shortcut. Never mind, we have loadsa time for further walking. Maybe I can set the visitors off to see who can find it first!!
Upon return to Brycock Mansions, we were greeting by the most calls we have had yet. For around 2 hours the telephone and computer did not stop! It was fantastic to chat to Blighty, espec when we can have proper 2 way conversations (thanks Neil for the eternal mindpoloroids of you with that microphone), and it was fab showing Paul's mum around the house. It's only my mum left to get Skype!
We are still on the hunt for a car.....I seriously want a Honda, but we don't want to spend too much. Luckily we get Paul's predecessors minivan (ford windstar) as he is getting the head gasket sorted and we'll pay the difference for the price, but for an everyday run around? This thing will eat around 16 miles to the gallon....hmmmmm...might as well buy a hummer!!! HA! Can you imagine ME in a hummer?? It was bad enough me picking up a gun to go clay pigeon shooting (which I loved and was particularly good at, strangely). But looking at the Chrysler convertibles (oh yes!) they do around 19 miles to the gallon!! hmmmmmm. And having the minivan would be great for when people come to stay, which at the moment is averaging every 2 months (how exciting!!). Thoughts on a postcard please!
So bringing you to the present, I had my first outing today, to a Pilate's class with Alice. It was really hard (I am so de-conditioned) and I've never messed about with balls and hoops before, but it was fun! The poor instructor probably wondered who the hell I was, attempting to use my 'core'! What core??!! At least I know it won't take long to build it all up again. A further date has been booked for this Friday!
On a negative note, my hands are really suffering (chapped and itchy) and my lip split earlier - well painful! My filling is loose, which is making my tooth real sensitive and my net curtains didn't come out white.
On a positive note, I fixed the dishwasher(hammer and screwdriver combo), Alice gave me some tips on reducing static electricity, I've discovered the trash and recycling days and items and my husband returns in about 20 minutes.
Love it!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
The tale of the trench
PAUL:
Well I will have earned my sleepsies tonight! We have experienced our first significant US snowfall and its has been pretty spectacular really. The downside is that Drives need shovelling and sidewalks clearing.
This in itself is not too challenging unless you have only got a normal spade and not a snow shovel. Fortunately the community pulls in the same direction and we got a spare one from a neighbour. By the time I have cleared all the side walks then guess what powers along. A neighbour with a motorised snow clearer. He helpfully shouts to me as he drives over my freshly cleared sidewalk, "should have waited five minutes". Well yes neighbour had I known you had a motorised thingamajig that would clear the pavement in 10 secs rather than the 15 mins of hard labour I just completed the yeah I would have waited!!!.
Still they are a pretty nice bunch round here. Especially when I had to go back out three hours later to re-clear the paths as the snow had been continually falling. Another 30 mins of shovelling (interspersed with a chat with more neighbours) and I return inside. Had a look outside later on and it all needs doing again...harumph!!
The rest of the day has been spent watching movies on the vast 1000 channel TV networks, Shallow Hal, Pitch Black, Fantastic Four movie double. Starting getting worried we would run out of Cheesy Puffs (TM) fortunately the bags are so big that we will keep one specifically as a sleeping bag for small children who visit.
Sof needs to identify that the cats are not permanently wanting to be photographed. In two days sh has taken nigh on 100 photos of the cats in various poses...sat at the Kitchen table, sleeping..dozing...rolling over etc. David bailey she ain't. still at some point one of the cats will throw itself at her like a Panther!! and that will be her comeuppance.
Another snowbound day tomorrow so yet more photos, shovelling, movies and cheesy puffs (TM) to follow. Please don't stop following us if tomorrows posts are just a cut and paste.
love to all.
P
Well I will have earned my sleepsies tonight! We have experienced our first significant US snowfall and its has been pretty spectacular really. The downside is that Drives need shovelling and sidewalks clearing.
This in itself is not too challenging unless you have only got a normal spade and not a snow shovel. Fortunately the community pulls in the same direction and we got a spare one from a neighbour. By the time I have cleared all the side walks then guess what powers along. A neighbour with a motorised snow clearer. He helpfully shouts to me as he drives over my freshly cleared sidewalk, "should have waited five minutes". Well yes neighbour had I known you had a motorised thingamajig that would clear the pavement in 10 secs rather than the 15 mins of hard labour I just completed the yeah I would have waited!!!.
Still they are a pretty nice bunch round here. Especially when I had to go back out three hours later to re-clear the paths as the snow had been continually falling. Another 30 mins of shovelling (interspersed with a chat with more neighbours) and I return inside. Had a look outside later on and it all needs doing again...harumph!!
The rest of the day has been spent watching movies on the vast 1000 channel TV networks, Shallow Hal, Pitch Black, Fantastic Four movie double. Starting getting worried we would run out of Cheesy Puffs (TM) fortunately the bags are so big that we will keep one specifically as a sleeping bag for small children who visit.
Sof needs to identify that the cats are not permanently wanting to be photographed. In two days sh has taken nigh on 100 photos of the cats in various poses...sat at the Kitchen table, sleeping..dozing...rolling over etc. David bailey she ain't. still at some point one of the cats will throw itself at her like a Panther!! and that will be her comeuppance.
Another snowbound day tomorrow so yet more photos, shovelling, movies and cheesy puffs (TM) to follow. Please don't stop following us if tomorrows posts are just a cut and paste.
love to all.
P
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
Sof:
9am = no snow.
10am = 2".
3pm = 8"
5pm = still snowing.........
This is super unusual for DC. They usually have about 2 or 3 snowfalls during winter of a max 4". Only 1 month ago it fell to an amazing 21" where we are staying! This information comes courtesy of Dirk, our across the road neighbour, who very kindly let us borrow his snow shovel to clear the drive/pavement. Else we would have been stuck with a metal garden shovel - not good. (For those who don't know, a snow shovel is a large curved wide plastic shovel.)
I love Americans - when I went over to say hi to Dirk and to ask to borrow said shovel, he says that his fiancee wanted to meet the new neighbours. He then proceeds to get out his "cell" phone and calls her. She was in the house......interesting! Jane is also very lovely, and says we have come to a real friendly nice neighbourhood. She says alot of people are quite active around here (cycling, running, canoeing etc) and there IS a quick route to walk to the metro through the woods - YAY! She'll show me when the weather improves. Deer ticks beware!! Or should that be Beware of the deer ticks??
Bad weather always brings out the neighbours. We then met Chris (couple doors down) who was kindly shovelling Holly's drive (first night neighbour) for her, cause she is unable (LOVE the community spirit), and Mike who was using his snow plow (push along petrol thing) to plough the front of the streets pavements for us! How nice!! I get the sense that this is a close knit neighbourhood....time will tell whether it is a blessing!
So Paul decides to join me, after speaking to Jacob and his sister on Skype, and shovel the drive! I decide to take the snow off the car. I can't believe how deep it is! Amazing - we have pictures! We then decided to go round the back.....i got a snowball in the face from my loving husband. How he made the snowball is any ones guess - this stuff is so powdery! He then got me soaked by kicking snow my way. He is so caring and really takes into consideration my feelings.
Luckily, the landlord had popped round, and has lent us some heaters, as the heating system decided to pack in last night. So at least the house was warm and was considerate of my feelings.
Re the electric shocks - I reckon the carpet upstairs has it in for me - making the beds is PURE HELL!! I think I may allocate that as a Paul job!
So, on that note, I am going to return to the TV and cheetoh's, and say that's snow for now!!
xxxxx
9am = no snow.
10am = 2".
3pm = 8"
5pm = still snowing.........
This is super unusual for DC. They usually have about 2 or 3 snowfalls during winter of a max 4". Only 1 month ago it fell to an amazing 21" where we are staying! This information comes courtesy of Dirk, our across the road neighbour, who very kindly let us borrow his snow shovel to clear the drive/pavement. Else we would have been stuck with a metal garden shovel - not good. (For those who don't know, a snow shovel is a large curved wide plastic shovel.)
I love Americans - when I went over to say hi to Dirk and to ask to borrow said shovel, he says that his fiancee wanted to meet the new neighbours. He then proceeds to get out his "cell" phone and calls her. She was in the house......interesting! Jane is also very lovely, and says we have come to a real friendly nice neighbourhood. She says alot of people are quite active around here (cycling, running, canoeing etc) and there IS a quick route to walk to the metro through the woods - YAY! She'll show me when the weather improves. Deer ticks beware!! Or should that be Beware of the deer ticks??
Bad weather always brings out the neighbours. We then met Chris (couple doors down) who was kindly shovelling Holly's drive (first night neighbour) for her, cause she is unable (LOVE the community spirit), and Mike who was using his snow plow (push along petrol thing) to plough the front of the streets pavements for us! How nice!! I get the sense that this is a close knit neighbourhood....time will tell whether it is a blessing!
So Paul decides to join me, after speaking to Jacob and his sister on Skype, and shovel the drive! I decide to take the snow off the car. I can't believe how deep it is! Amazing - we have pictures! We then decided to go round the back.....i got a snowball in the face from my loving husband. How he made the snowball is any ones guess - this stuff is so powdery! He then got me soaked by kicking snow my way. He is so caring and really takes into consideration my feelings.
Luckily, the landlord had popped round, and has lent us some heaters, as the heating system decided to pack in last night. So at least the house was warm and was considerate of my feelings.
Re the electric shocks - I reckon the carpet upstairs has it in for me - making the beds is PURE HELL!! I think I may allocate that as a Paul job!
So, on that note, I am going to return to the TV and cheetoh's, and say that's snow for now!!
xxxxx
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)